Before Amit Shah’s Moga Rally, Minister Harpal Singh Cheema Asks Punjab BJP leaders: Will You Demand Punjab’s Rights or Remain Silent?

AAP PN- 1

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*Punjab BJP leaders must seek answers from Amit Shah on Centre’s discrimination against Punjab during Moga rally: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*BJP-led Centre has withheld thousands of crores of Punjab’s rightful funds under RDF, NHM, PMAY and PMGSY despite repeated demands: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Punjab will never compromise on its rightful share of water & will strongly oppose any attempt to undermine its rights: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*BJP leadership must clarify whether India–US agricultural trade arrangements will harm Punjab’s farmers: Harpal Singh Cheema*

*Punjab Suffered ₹20,000 Crore Flood Losses, PM Only Announced ₹1,600 Crore Flood Relief, Before Giving Speech in Moga, Amit Shah Must Clear Flood Relief Funds: Harpal Singh Cheema*

CHANDIGARH(The Uttam Hindu) :

Ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s political rally in Moga on March 14, Punjab Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema raised a series of pointed questions to the BJP-led central government and urged Punjab BJP leaders to seek clear answers from Amit Shah during the rally.

Minister Harpal Singh Cheema stated that the BJP government at the Centre has consistently discriminated against Punjab and treated it with step-motherly behaviour for several years. He said that despite four years of the AAP government in Punjab, the Centre has repeatedly blocked legitimate funds and attempted to weaken the state’s economy. “Punjab has always stood firmly with the nation, from the freedom struggle to feeding the country through its farmers. Punjabis made immense sacrifices for India’s independence and have contributed immensely to the country’s food security since the Green Revolution. Yet today the BJP-led Centre is deliberately sidelining Punjab,” said Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.

The Punjab Minister stated that after the repeal of the three farm laws following massive protests led by Punjab’s farmers, the BJP leadership developed resentment towards Punjab and has since been trying to economically undermine the state. 

“The Centre has withheld thousands of crores of rupees belonging to Punjab under several schemes, including the Rural Development Fund,” Harpal Singh Cheema said. 

He recalled that in 2022 the central government had raised objections claiming the RDF money was being misused. “The Punjab Government immediately amended the law to ensure that RDF funds would be used strictly for rural mandis and village roads connected with agriculture. Despite that, the Centre continues to withhold Punjab’s dues,” he added..

Harpal Singh Cheema stated that he has repeatedly raised these concerns during meetings with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and demanded the release of Punjab’s pending funds under the Rural Development Fund, the National Health Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana. However, the Centre has consistently delayed payments on one pretext or another.

He further stated that the BJP-led Centre has also attempted to weaken Punjab’s rights over water resources. Referring to the SYL canal issue and disputes related to the Bhakra Beas Management Board, Harpal Singh Cheema said the Centre has repeatedly tried to undermine Punjab’s rightful share of water. “Punjab has always fulfilled its commitments to neighbouring states, including Haryana, but the BJP-led Centre continues to push decisions that threaten Punjab’s rights. Punjab will never compromise on its legitimate claims,” said Harpal Singh Cheema.

Raising another concern, Harpal Singh Cheema questioned whether the proposed India–US trade arrangements in agriculture would harm Indian farmers. Referring to remarks by the US Agriculture Secretary suggesting that access to the Indian market would benefit American farmers, he said, “If American farmers become prosperous because they gain access to India’s market, does that mean Punjab’s farmers will suffer? The people of this country deserve answers.”

Harpal Singh Cheema also stated that the Modi government appears to be allowing external pressure to dictate economic decisions affecting Indian farmers and traders, which could jeopardize the livelihoods of millions.

He urged Punjab BJP leaders, including Sunil Jakhar, Ravneet Singh Bittu and Ashwani Sharma, to show courage and raise Punjab’s concerns directly with Amit Shah during the rally. “If they truly care about Punjab, they must demand from Amit Shah the immediate release of all pending funds, RDF dues, National Health Mission funds, money under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, as well as compensation for the financial losses Punjab suffered after the implementation of GST,” said Harpal Singh Cheema.

He also demanded that the Centre release the ₹1,600 crore flood relief package announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for Punjab and clarify the timeline for providing compensation against the ₹20,000 crore loss assessed by the Punjab Government after the devastating floods.

Harpal Singh Cheema further questioned why the Centre has not provided adequate financial support to strengthen Punjab’s 550-kilometre international border with Pakistan, which is crucial for preventing cross-border smuggling of drugs and other illegal activities.

The Minister also criticised the changes in rural employment schemes that have affected poor and Dalit families. He said nearly 70 percent of workers under MGNREGA belong to Scheduled Caste families and demanded that the original structure of the scheme be restored so that vulnerable households do not lose their livelihood. “The people of Punjab are watching closely. Tomorrow’s rally should not be about slogans or political theatrics. The BJP leadership must answer Punjab’s legitimate questions and ensure the immediate release of the state’s rightful funds,” said Minister Harpal Singh Cheema.