AAP Punjab President Aman Arora’s 8 Questions before Union Home Minister Amit Shah:
- Under which law has the Centre withheld Punjab’s ₹8,300 crore RDF–MDF funds for four years?
- How will BJP-led Centre compensate Punjab for nearly ₹60,000 crore GST losses?
- Why has ₹1,600 crore flood relief for Punjab still not been released?
- Why has BJP-led Central Govt accepted one-sided India–US trade deal harming farmers & small businesses?
- What relief will Centre provide to Punjab’s industry hit by tax holidays in neighbouring states?
- What steps is Centre taking to stop drugs entering Punjab through borders & ports?
- Why is Centre ending MGNREGA and replacing it with new scheme?
- What is Centre doing to address LPG crisis & rising gas prices?
Ahead of Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s rally in Moga, Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) Punjab President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora on Saturday put eight pointed questions to the BJP-led Central Government, demanding clear answers on issues ranging from Punjab’s withheld funds and massive GST losses to flood relief, industry, drug trafficking, employment and rising LPG prices.
Stating that the visit cannot be reduced to political rhetoric, Aman Arora said three crore Punjabis are expecting accountability from the Union Home Minister and deserve concrete answers, not hollow slogans or “jumlas,” on the serious economic and governance concerns facing Punjab.
Addressing a press conference in Chandigarh, AAP Punjab President and Cabinet Minister Aman Arora stated that Punjabis have a long tradition of welcoming guests with respect, but this time the people of Punjab expect accountability from the Union Home Minister. “Home Minister Amit Shah has come to the land of Punjab, and we welcome him. But the concern of three crore Punjabis is simple, do not make empty promises and tell jumlas again,” said Aman Arora.
The AAP Punjab President noted that two days ago he had raised several important issues concerning Punjab and expected the BJP’s Punjab leadership to respond or present some announcements before Amit Shah’s visit. “However, in the last two days not a single BJP Punjab leader has spoken about these concerns,” said Aman Arora. He also urged the media to question Amit Shah and BJP Punjab leaders on the issues being raised by the people of Punjab.
₹8,300 Crore RDF and MDF Funds Withheld from Punjab
Raising the first issue, Aman Arora asked the Union Home Minister to clarify under which law the central government has withheld ₹8,300 crore belonging to Punjab under the Rural Development Fund (RDF) and Market Development Fund (MDF) for the past four years. “This money belongs to the hardworking farmers and people of Punjab. It is meant for rural development. Why has the Centre stopped it, and when will it be released?” asked Aman Arora.
₹60,000 Crore GST Loss to Punjab
Highlighting the financial losses suffered by Punjab under the GST regime, Aman Arora stated that the compensation mechanism lasted only five years, leaving Punjab with massive losses. “The GST compensation was given only for five years, but Punjab suffered losses worth nearly ₹60,000 crore. How does the central government plan to compensate Punjab for this huge loss?” asked Aman Arora.
₹1,600 Crore Flood Relief Still Not Released
Referring to the devastating floods that struck Punjab, the Cabinet Minister reminded that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a relief package of ₹1,600 crore during his visit to the affected areas. “Is Amit Shah bringing the cheque of ₹1,600 crore with him today? If yes, he should hand it over to Punjab. If not, he must explain in his rally why that money has still not been released,” said Aman Arora.
One-Sided India–US Trade Deal
The AAP Punjab President also criticized the central government over what he described as a one-sided India–US trade arrangement. “A deal happens between equals, but the way the BJP government has bowed before US President Donald Trump looks less like a deal and more like a diktat. This agreement will harm crores of farmers and small businessmen across the country,” said Aman Arora.
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He questioned what compulsion forced the BJP government to accept such terms and demanded that Amit Shah explain the issue to the people of Punjab.
Damage to Punjab’s Industry Due to Tax Holidays in Neighboring States
Turning to the condition of Punjab’s industrial sector, Aman Arora stated that tax holidays granted by the Centre to neighboring states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Jammu and Kashmir have severely affected Punjab’s industry. “Punjab already suffers due to the closure of international trade routes at the border. On top of that, giving concessions to neighboring states has pushed Punjab’s industry and traders into crisis. What relief or compensation will the Centre give to Punjab’s industry?” asked Aman Arora.
Drugs Entering Punjab From International Border and Through Ports of Gujarat
Speaking about the challenge of drug trafficking, Aman Arora said the Punjab Government led by CM Bhagwant Singh Mann has launched a determined campaign against drugs across Punjab. He pointed out that drugs often enter through international borders controlled by the central government or through ports located in states such as Gujarat. “What concrete steps is the central government taking to stop drug trafficking, and how will it support the Punjab Government in this fight?” asked Aman Arora.
Scrapping of MGNREGA
Aman Arora also raised concerns about the central government’s decision to discontinue the 20-year-old rural employment scheme Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act and replace it with a new scheme called VB-G RAM G. “MGNREGA supported millions of poor labourers across the country. Why is the central government ending this scheme and bringing in a vague law that could leave crores of people unemployed?” asked Aman Arora.
LPG Crisis and Rising Prices
Targeting the Centre over the LPG crisis and rising gas prices, Aman Arora said long queues for LPG cylinders are being witnessed in several places and cited a tragic incident in Barnala where a person reportedly died of a heart attack while standing in line for a cylinder. “The situation reminds people of the painful days of demonetisation when many citizens died standing in queues,” said Aman Arora.
Aman Arora further stated that the crisis reflects the failure of the central government’s domestic and foreign policies. “The BJP government has failed to maintain balanced relations even with friendly countries like Iran and Russia, while surrendering to pressure from the United States. These policies are harming the entire country,” said Aman Arora.
Concluding, Aman Arora stated that the eight questions raised reflect the concerns of the people of Punjab and must be answered during Amit Shah’s visit. “If Amit Shah truly feels responsible towards the people, he must answer these eight questions during his visit. Punjab deserves answers, not hollow slogans,” said Aman Arora.
