Agriculture Minister Shivraj Chouhan slams Punjab govt:Says, ‘Saundh skipped Ludhiana flood meeting’; sent letter to CM seeking detailed report on damage assessment

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan visited Punjab on Tuesday, October 14, and expressed dissatisfaction with the state government’s handling of flood-affected areas. During his visit, he criticized Punjab’s Rural Development Minister Tarunpreet Singh Saundh for failing to attend the briefing on flood damage in Ludhiana. Shivraj sends letter to CM Bhagwant Mann Shivraj Singh Chouhan said that he sent a formal letter to Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann regarding the absence of the minister and the delay in submitting detailed flood damage reports. He noted that if the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) had been implemented effectively in Punjab, farmers would have received more benefits. He urged Punjab Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian to ensure proper implementation of the insurance scheme. Chauhan emphasized that the state government must not link its work to any particular political party, as governance is for the people, whether under the Centre or the state. Flood relief measures announced During the visit, Chouhan inaugurated a new building at the IACR Maize Institute. He was accompanied by Union State Ministers Bhagirath Chaudhary (Agriculture) and Ravneet Bittu (Railways). He revealed the following key flood relief measures: Shivraj responds to tourism allegations Addressing claims by CM Bhagwant Mann that central ministers visit Punjab frequently for photo ops, Chauhan clarified that his visit was not for “flood tourism” but to assess crop and flood damages firsthand. He stressed that his visit led to a prompt central response, with all relevant ministries and officers dispatched to Punjab to assist flood victims. Delay in flood damage assessment by Punjab government Chouhan criticized the Punjab government for delaying the submission of detailed flood damage reports to the Centre. He explained that while the Centre provides funds based on submitted data, the responsibility for preparing a complete damage assessment and determining compensation lies with the state government. He noted that a report submitted on Monday night at 9 PM indicated 36,703 houses damaged, and the central government approved funding immediately to ensure timely aid for the affected families.