Minister of State for Cooperation, Krishan Pal Gurjar, has said that illegal mining is one of the major reasons for breaches in bundhs and flooding in many areas of Punjab. He alleged that local people have told him that people in power are themselves involved in mining. The Minister, who is on a visit to Punjab to look into the damage done due to floods in the state, visited some flood-affected areas of Rupnagar district and said that the 1,600 crores already announced as a relief package for the state is an initial relief.

More money would be released when the Punjab government sends a complete assessment report. He assured the Centre is supporting the state government in this hour of crisis. He said if the Punjab government had used the 12,000 crore rupees already lying with the state under the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF), at an appropriate time and place, the damage done by floods would have been less. Mr Gurjar said that it is the duty of the state government to strengthen the bundhs and get them cleaned along with the rivulets.