Punjab AAP MP Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer demands ₹20,000 crore flood relief, Anganwadi regularisation and fair sports funding in Parliament.

Aam Aadmi Party ( AAP ) Member of Parliament representing Sangrur, Gurmeet Singh Meet Hayer, articulated multiple urgent concerns and requested allocations of funds during his address on the Supplementary Demands in Parliament.

Meet Hayer insisted that Anganwadi workers and assistants be regularized and that their modest honorarium be augmented. He also insisted that, beyond the proclaimed ₹1,600 crore flood relief package for Punjab, an additional ₹20,000 crore be allocated to compensate for the actual losses incurred by the state due to floods. Citing population growth in the absence of a census, he also called for the prompt issuance of new ration cards under the Public Distribution System. He further articulated that grants for sports should be distributed to states in accordance with their athletic achievements.

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Criticizing the “Viksit Bharat” model, Meet Hayer stated that India is positioned at 102nd place among 123 countries on the Global Hunger Index. He stated that Anganwadi workers serve a vital function in infant development, yet they remain vulnerable to exploitation. The Centre allocates only ₹4,500 to laborers and ₹2,250 to helpers. He insisted that the government augment their honorarium, establish a permanent salary, and regularize their services.

Referring to the catastrophic floods in Punjab, the AAP MP stated that the state incurred financial losses totaling ₹20,000 crore and that the fundamental infrastructure was severely damaged. He stated that the Prime Minister had announced a flood relief package of ₹1,600 crore for Punjab; however, no funds have been received to date. He insisted that the Centre promptly disburse ₹20,000 crore in conjunction with the announced flood relief package.

Addressing the issue of the shortage of ration cards within the Public Distribution System, Meet Hayer stated that, due to COVID-19, the census was not carried out in 2021, and it appears unlikely to be conducted in the near future as well. He stated that, according to the 2011 census, 14,145,000 ration cards were issued in Punjab. However, due to population growth, the number of families below the poverty line has also risen, requiring an increase in the number of ration cards in the state.

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Highlighting discrimination against Punjab in sports funding, Meet Hayer stated that Punjab was marginalized in the allocation of Khelo India grants, whereas Gujarat received crores of rupees in 2024. He stated that Gujarat did not secure any medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics, whereas eight athletes from Punjab earned medals in hockey. He noted that Punjab has villages such as Sansarpur that have produced numerous medal-winning athletes originating from a single community. He insisted that sports subsidies be distributed to states according to their athletic achievements. He additionally stated that India is scheduled to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, but the Central Government has not requested any funding for sports in the supplementary grants this year.