AAP Asks Industry to Donate to Rangla Panjab Fund, Bajwa says No

Panjab government has approached Panjabi industrialists and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) to contribute generously to the newly created Rangla Punjab Vikas (Colorful Panjab Progress) Fund to help the state government rebuild the flood-ravaged state. On 23 Sep, the state Industry and NRI Affairs minister Sanjeev Arora mobilized 13 industrialists from Ludhiana, who met and donated to the Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann. These included the controversial Ruchira Paper Mills who donated USD 57K. Arora said, 'Since the donations made to the fund are exempt from the Foreign Currency Regulations Act and also count towards Corporate Social Responsibility spending of companies, I request more and more NRIs and corporates to donate to this fund.' However, Leader of Opposition (LoP), Indian National Congress party’s Partap Singh Bajwa urged Panjabis ‘not to donate’ to the fund. Bajwa said, ‘Since the fund will not be under the scrutiny of auditors and is exempt from the Right to Information Act, no one will know where and how the funds are being utilized.’ Meanwhile, the diaspora has been mobilizing funds. On 11 Sep, Red FM, broadcasting in Vancouver, Calgary, and Toronto, raised around USD 2M channelled via Sikhi Awareness Foundation. US NRIs have also raised over USD 300K. Locally, Ahrar Foundation, a Non-Government Organization under the leadership of Panjab Shahi Imam Maulana Mohammad Usman Rahmani Ludhianvi, has distributed assistance worth over USD 225K, including USD 146K aid through checks and relief materials. At the individual level, village level, there has been a lot of donation from within Panjab and neighboring states. However, donors must know that the time for rations is over. Now is the time to send diesel, tractors, and land levelers. Donate to known people and known organizations who can be held accountable for the use of funds. Also, there are many QR codes flying around with visuals of Panjab floods seeking aid. Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh which was absent during the floods is now appropriating the people’s struggle to earn praise (earlier coverage).