The Rangla Punjab Vikas Fund has sparked a fresh political battle in Punjab. Congress leader Partap Singh Bajwa urged people not to donate, questioning the fund’s lack of transparency. He said since it is exempt from the RTI Act and not audited, no one will know how the money is used. Bajwa also asked the government to explain the disappearance of the Rs 12,000 crore State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
Finance Minister Harpal Cheema hit back, calling Bajwa’s stand “anti-Punjab” and accusing him of misleading the public. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann defended the fund, saying all contributions are transparent and updated on a government website. He explained that the fund was set up to attract corporate donations under CSR, as many companies were hesitant to donate to the CM Relief Fund.
Bajwa clarified that he was not against donations but only against creating a new fund when one already exists. The clash highlights growing tensions between AAP and Congress over flood relief and financial management in Punjab.
