MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal seeks judicial probe into Rs 12,500 crore State Disaster Response Fund for Punjab
Babushahi Bureau
Chandigarh, March 18, 2026: Bathinda MP Harsimrat Kaur Badal on Tuesday demanded a judicial probe into the alleged misutilisation of ₹12,500 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), claiming that farmers affected by the 2025 floods in Punjab have not received compensation.
Participating in the discussion on agriculture demands in Parliament, the senior Shiromani Akali Dal leader said that crops across nearly 4 lakh acres were damaged during last year’s floods. She noted that while the Centre had indicated that ₹12,500 crore was available under SDRF for relief, the state government later claimed that such funds were not available. She called for a judicial inquiry to trace the funds and ensure compensation reaches farmers.
Badal also flagged concerns over flood management by the Bhakra Beas Management Board, alleging that the absence of Punjab’s representation in the board led to poor decision-making and unplanned release of water from the Bhakra dam, worsening the flood situation. She demanded restoration of Punjab’s representation in BBMB to safeguard the state’s interests.
Raising the issue of water sharing, she reiterated that Punjab’s river water rights should be restored under the Riparian Principle, alleging that a significant portion has already been diverted to other states, with further concerns linked to the Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal.
The MP also pressed for the full implementation of the Swaminathan Commission recommendations, particularly the MSP formula based on C2 cost plus 50% profit, to ensure fair returns for farmers.
Highlighting international factors, Badal said that basmati consignments worth around ₹4 lakh crore are currently stuck due to the ongoing Iran-related crisis, and urged the Centre to take steps to safeguard exports and address potential shortages of urea imports.
Questioning the Union government’s agriculture budget, she asked how farmers’ income would be doubled amid reduced allocation to the sector, including a reported cut of ₹15,679 crore in fertiliser subsidy. She also claimed that the number of beneficiaries under PM-KISAN in Punjab has declined significantly, despite continued agrarian distress and farm suicides in the state.