Chandigarh, March 14 (UNI) The Aam Aadmi Party on Saturday launched a scathing attack on Home Minister Amit Shah, demanding the immediate release of long-overdue financial dues.
At a presser in Amritsar, senior AAP leader and Punjab spokesperson Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said rather than just delivering political speeches during his Punjab visit, the Home Minister should have brought along the withheld funds that rightfully belong to the people of the state.
Dhaliwal specifically highlighted the Rural Development Fund (RDF), which he claimed has been stalled by the Centre for several years. He noted that stalling these funds has severely hampered critical infrastructure projects and development across Punjab’s rural landscape.
The AAP leader listed the ongoing financial strain caused by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) regime, urging the union government to expedite compensation to bridge the state’s significant fiscal deficit.
Reminding the Centre of the unfulfilled promises made during the natural calamities of the previous year, Dhaliwal pointed out that the ₹1,600 crore flood relief package announced following the monsoon fury has yet to reach the state.
He lamented that despite the massive destruction of crops, homes, and businesses, the affected farmers and residents have been left in the lurch by the Centre.
On the front of national security, Dhaliwal raised serious concerns about the 532-km international border with Pakistan. He alleged that while the state government has deployed its own anti-drone measures, the Centre has failed to provide the necessary technological and logistical support to combat the influx of narcotics and weapons.
He called for a robust, centralized anti-drone system to fortify the border and demanded industrial parity for Punjab, seeking the same subsidies and incentives currently extended to neighboring hill states.
The AAP spokesperson also cautioned against any potential trade agreements with the United States that might undermine the interests of Indian farmers. Dhaliwal stated that the farming community in Punjab remains vigilant and will fiercely resist any deals that threaten their livelihood.
Dismissing the political impact of the Home Minister’s rally, Dhaliwal said the state remains focused on securing its constitutional rights and would not be misled by grand political events while its financial dues remain unpaid.
