In a memorandum submitted to Planning Commission deputy chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Punjab Pradesh Congress Committee (PPCC) president Partap Singh Bajwa has demanded a special package for Punjab to deal with waterlogging in south-western districts of the state and frequent floods along Sutlej, Ravi and Beas rivers.
Bajwa told Ahluwalia that a central team had already visited waterlogged areas and was in the process of building a comprehensive plan. According to him, 84,000 lakh hectares of land has turned infertile because of waterlogging, with Muktsar district being the worst-affected.
Punjab chief minister Parkash Singh Badal and Leader of the Opposition Sunil Jakhar had met Ahluwalia last week in this regard, demanding Rs 23,327 crore in three phases.
Bajwa also demanded Rs 2,000 crore for strengthening rivers banks to save the surrounding areas from frequent floods