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Punjab ministers Harbhajan Singh, Laljit Singh Bhullar, and Barinder Kumar Goyal face criticism for discussing Sweden and Goa cruises during a flood survey in Tarn Taran.
All three ministers had been deputed as flood relief in-charges of Punjab’s border districts. (Image: X)
Three Punjab ministers have come under fire from opposition parties for reminiscing about their cruise trips during a survey of rain-related damage in Punjab.
A video of the three ministers on a boat during a survey has surfaced. In the video, Punjab minister Harbhajan Singh was seen telling the two ministers, including Laljit Singh Bhullar and Barinder Kumar Goyal, that he had gone to Sweden on a cruise and that “the cruises over there have everything on the ship, like hotels and all.” In response, minister Barinder Kumar Goyal replied, “Just like in Goa.”
According to India Today, the clip streamed live on minister Laljit Singh Bhullar’s Facebook account. The video showed Bhullar, Harbhajan Singh, and Barinder Kumar Goyal sitting on a boat in life jackets during their inspection. The trio was doing a survey of damage caused by rain in Tarn Taran when they discussed their trips.
Minutes later, another video on the same account emerged with ministers urging people to follow government directions and move to safer areas.
All three ministers had been deputed as flood relief in-charges of Punjab’s border districts.
Reacting to the footage, the opposition parties have criticised them, with Congress calling their survey a “relief tour.”
Congress accused the ruling-Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in the state of showing insensitivity at a time when thousands are reeling under the impact of floods.
In a post on X, Congress leader Pratap Singh Bajwa wrote, “Flood-hit families in Punjab beg for a glass of drinking water, but @AAPPunjab Ministers @barinder_goyal, @Laljitbhullar & @AAPHarbhajan found time to relive their ‘golden memories’ of luxury cruises in Sweden & Goa. What a relief tour! (sic)”
In a post on X, BJP leader Tarun Chugh said Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann and his entire cabinet have “failed to live up to the expectations of the people.”
पंजाब डूब चुका है, खेत बर्बाद, घर तबाह, परिवार सड़कों पर हैं। लेकिन इन हालातों में भी मंत्री जी नाव पर बैठकर बाढ़ पीड़ितों का दर्द बाँटने की बजाय स्वीडन-गोवा की क्रूज़ की बातें कर रहे हैं!जनता पूछ रही है, क्या पंजाब ने आपको सत्ता इसलिए दी थी कि संकट की घड़ी में ऐशो-आराम के… pic.twitter.com/tjlVSdgty8
— Tarun Chugh (@tarunchughbjp) August 28, 2025
“Punjab is submerged, fields are ruined, homes are destroyed, families are on the streets. Yet, in these conditions, instead of sitting in a boat to share the pain of flood victims, the Minister is talking about Sweden-Goa cruises! The public is asking, did Punjab give you power so that in times of crisis you narrate tales of luxury? Or so that you alleviate our sufferings?(sic),” Chugh tweeted.
“The truth is that Punjab’s incompetent Chief Minister @BhagwantMann and his entire cabinet have failed to live up to the expectations of the people. Leaders who, in the hour of disaster, reminisce about luxury are, in fact, the biggest culprits of Punjab’s destruction. (sic),” the BJP leader further wrote.
Punjab Reels Under Impact of Heavy Rain
Punjab is facing its worst floods in over three decades, as rivers like the Sutlej, Beas, and Ravi, along with smaller streams, have overflowed and flooded large areas of farmland and villages. The floods happened after several days of heavy rain in the rivers’ catchment areas in Himachal Pradesh and Jammu & Kashmir.
The most affected villages are in the districts of Pathankot, Gurdaspur, Fazilka, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Ferozepur, Hoshiarpur, and Amritsar. CM Bhagwant Mann has asked local authorities to speed up rescue and relief work to help those impacted.
Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18…Read More
Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com’s general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18… Read More
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Punjab, India, India
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