Punjab Newsline, Chandigarh-
Amid the worsening flood crisis in several parts of Punjab, the Leader of the Opposition in the Punjab Assembly, Partap Singh Bajwa, on Monday unleashed a blistering attack on the Aam Aadmi Party-led state government, accusing it of gross administrative failure and total negligence in the face of a growing humanitarian disaster.
Bajwa slammed the government for its "shameful inaction," pointing out that relentless rains in the hilly regions, combined with the reckless release of excess water from dams, have submerged thousands of acres of fertile farmland. He said the situation is spiraling out of control in at least six districts — Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur, and Tarn Taran — where rising river levels and collapsing embankments are putting countless lives, homes, and crops at immediate risk.
“This government has utterly failed the people,” Bajwa said. “The flood-affected villagers have been left to fend for themselves. Rescue efforts are practically nonexistent. Instead of taking swift, decisive action, the administration is nowhere to be seen, leaving desperate locals to fight the floodwaters on their own.”
Bajwa emphasized that the same flood-prone areas along the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi rivers are ignored year after year, a clear sign of administrative neglect. He argued that the recurring devastation reveals a lack of planning, poor coordination with neighboring states, and outdated flood management systems—further underlining his claim that government failure is central to the crisis.
“The AAP government has clearly failed to learn from the 2023 floods, which caused widespread destruction across the state. It has not taken even the most basic measures—such as clearing drainage systems or reinforcing embankments—to mitigate future risks,” Bajwa stated. “Instead of upgrading our flood management systems and preparing for the monsoon, the government chose complacency. As a result, the people of Punjab—especially its farmers—are once again paying the price for this apathy.”
Demanding accountability, Bajwa asserted that Punjab’s floods are a direct outcome of sustained government failure—not natural disasters beyond control. He concluded that only effective governance can prevent such tragedies from continuing.