Also releases details of money received by State from Centre after March 20
Tells CM to prioritize funds received from centre for COVID-19 relief activities
Chandigarh, April 19, 2020: Union food processing industries minister Harsimrat Kaur Badal today urged Punjab chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh to use Rs 6,000 crore grant received by the State government for the State Disaster Relief Fund besides Rs 3,485 crore already received by him after March 20 this year to provide succour to the poor and needy besides ramping up health infrastructure and health safety kits on a war footing.
In a statement here, Mrs Harsimrat Kaur Badal said it was of utmost importance to provide direct benefits to farmers, farm labourers, daily wagers and migrant labour besides concessions to the common man as well as the industrial sector. “The Rs 6,000 crore plus lying with the State under the Disaster Relief Fund can be used for this purpose immediately. The central government has also sanctioned use of this fund to combat COVID-19 and the Punjab government must not delay releasing funds under this category. The government should also release money immediately to ramp up infrastructure in government hospitals, purchase much needed ventilators and PPE kits besides distributing gloves and masks to all front-line workers”.
Mrs Badal also pointed out that she had disclosed that the centre had released Rs 2,366 crore to the Punjab government on account of GST compensation and arrears besides money under other heads after March 20 when the COVID-19 pandemic broke out. “The State has replied that all funds accruing out of GST collection is their money. Yes, it is the people’s money and the people are suffering. The State government must prioritize spending of the funds sent by the centre to ensure Punjabis do not suffer during these difficult times”.
The Union minister also released the Government of India communications listing out all the grants released to the State since March 20 including Rs 638 crore as a Revenue Deficit Grant, Rs 247 crore for first instalment of disaster management grant for this year, Rs 41crore under the National Health Mission and Rs 71.87 crore as hundred per cent assistance under the emergency response and health preparedness package announced by the Prime Minister. "Besides this Punjab has also received 10.70 lakh Hydrochloroquine tablets, 33,615 N-95 masks and 4,500 PPE kits from the centre", she said while releasing corresponding central government communications to prove her point.
Mrs Badal said in these difficult times there was no time for ill will or wrangling. “There should be a spirit of cooperation. have just listed the money available with the State to combat COVID-19. I urge the chief minister to use this as well as the Rs 6,000 crore accumulated in the State Disaster Relief Fund to tide over these difficult times. I assure chief minister Capt Amarinder Singh full cooperation in seeking more funds under the Disaster Relief Fund once the State expends Rs 6,000 crore available with it under this head”.
The Union minister said it was also a stark truth that ration dispatched to Punjab by the Centre for 1.4 crore people, which was half its population, was largely lying in State godowns. “Except in two districts distribution is yet to start. I am only urging you to distribute it among the people as quickly as possible”. Mrs Badal also highlighted how distribution of relief targeted for the poor and migrant labourers had been politicized earlier. “Please direct officials to ensure absolute transparent distribution of food material without any political interference”, she added.