Patiala August 2:
            State Minister for External Affairs and Patiala MP Preneet Kaur yesterday accused the SAD-BJP government of failing to properly present the case of Punjab in regard to the Ghaggar project to the Centre.
“Post-floods, the Punjab government is blaming the Centre and the Central Water Commission for the delay in the second phase of the Ghaggar project whereas in reality it was the Badal government that failed to properly take up the matter,” she said. She also visited about 12 villages of the Shatrana Assembly Constituency that were hit by the recent floods.
Preneet further said the previous Congress regime in Punjab led by former Chief Minister Capt Amarinder Singh had taken up the issue with the Centre following which the Centre had released funds worth Rs 70 crore to Punjab. But ever since the Akalis came to fore, they have failed to make any further progress in this regard.
Preneet lambasted the Punjab government for the flood fury, stating that it was sheer failure on the part of the SAD-BJP government that flood-prevention steps were not taken before the onset of monsoons. “It is ridiculous that the state did not release the funds for the de-silting and cleaning the drains and rivulets before the monsoons,” she added.
Preneet further said the UPA would surely take remedial steps to prevent the damage being caused by the Ghaggar in the form of floods. She also said petty politics being played by the SAD was unfortunate. “When people are dying and the state is suffering immense damage, it is sad that Akalis are busy playing the blame game,” she added.
Listening to the residents of flood-affected Guru Nanak Pura village in Shatrana, Preneet said the flood-hit farmers would also be taken care of. Shatrana MLA Nirmal Singh and assistant principal secretary to Preneet Kaur MP Singh accompanied Preneet during her visit to the flood-hit areas.