CHANDIGARH, September 3 — After several months of what was described as political inactivity in Punjab, Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament Raghav Chadha has made his presence felt once more, taking a leading role in flood relief efforts as the state faces its worst floods in recent history.
Following a visit to flood-ravaged areas in Gurdaspur last week, where he was photographed atop a tractor, Chadha announced the allocation of Rs 3.25 crore from his Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) fund to support the state.
A sum of Rs 2.75 crore has been sanctioned for strengthening and repairing flood protection embankments in Gurdaspur district, while an additional Rs 50 lakh will be directed toward relief and rehabilitation in Amritsar district.
In a public message, Chadha offered his condolences to the families of the 30 people who lost their lives in the floods. He also extended his gratitude to the Indian Army, National Disaster Response Force, Border Security Force, Punjab Police, government officers, doctors, non-governmental organizations, civil society groups, and young people involved in the relief efforts. In a video message, Chadha stressed that the funds belonged to the state’s citizens.
“These funds are not mine, they belong to Punjab and Punjabis,” he noted.
“Every rupee will go toward service and rebuilding Punjab.”
He also assured the public that he would raise the issue in Parliament and appeal to the Central Government for maximum support.
Chadha is one of three Rajya Sabha members from Punjab who have been actively involved in the relief and rescue operations, along with Vikramjit Singh Sawhney and Balbir Singh Seechewal. Seechewal has been particularly active on the ground in Sultanpur Lodhi, volunteering to rescue people stranded in marooned villages.
