‘Will come to Punjab whenever needed,’ says Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan as he urges CM Mann to focus on governance

“While I was on my way to Dhapai village, a few AAP workers were standing with placards carrying messages saying ‘Punjab mat aao’ (Don’t come to Punjab). But I want to tell the Punjab government that we will come to Punjab whenever needed. I want to give this message to the Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann — stop this politics, stop this theatrics, and focus on serving people. We all have to serve people, rising above politics. Our PM Narendra Modi is committed and determined to work for the development of the state, and so are his ministers,” Chouhan said.

Chouhan had gone to Dhapai village to provide a flood relief cheque to a family whose house had been damaged in the recent monsoon.

Chouhan said, “Earlier, the AAP government had sent us the list of 14,000 houses damaged due to the recent floods, and we had approved the funds under PM Awas Yojana for those houses. However, on Monday night around 9 pm, the Punjab government sent another list of 36,703 houses, and I approved it then and there. The approval letter was handed over to State Agriculture Minister Gurmit Singh Khudian at Ludhiana. I wish their rural development minister had come, as the department falls under him. But I was told that he was out of state, and hence handed it over to the agriculture minister. I want to give a larger message to the Punjab Government that the Central Government is here to help Punjab, and we stand shoulder to shoulder with the people of Punjab.”

Arriving late for the press conference, the minister apologised for the delay, citing the poor condition of rural roads. “I am sorry for getting late at this venue, but earlier, the rural roads were in good shape. However, today when I travelled from Dhapai to Doraha, I experienced a bumpy ride and the potholes… I am shocked at the condition of the roads in Punjab,” he said.

Chouhan reminded that he had come to the state during the September floods, at the direction of PM Narendra Modi.

‘Punjab govt can approach Centre for aid for damaged orchards’

The Union Minister stated that the Punjab Government could approach the Centre for seeking compensation for damaged orchards. “We can provide funds under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture,” the minister said.

Chouhan also raised concerns shared by farmers during his visit. “Farmers had complained to me that fertilizer dealers were forcibly giving them a few products along with urea, which should be stopped immediately. Farmers should be given only urea and shouldn’t be forced to buy anything else. Punjab government should strictly check this,” he said.

Asks CM Mann to join the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana

The Union Agriculture Minister further stated that he had written to CM Mann, urging him to join the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).

“Twenty-three other states are part of it. It will only benefit the farmers in getting compensation in case of any natural calamity or any other reason,” Chouhan said.

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