New Delhi, Sept. 30 -- A high-level delegation of the Punjab Government comprising the state's Finance Minister Advocate Harpal Singh Cheema, Chief Secretary KAP Sinha, and Additional Chief Secretary, Home Affairs and Finance, Alok Shekhar, on Tuesday met the Chairman of the 16th Finance Commission, Dr Arvind Panagariya, in Delhi.

According to an official release, the delegation met Dr Panagariya to present a forceful case for the special long-term rehabilitation package to the state, citing the recent experience with devastating floods, among the worst in decades, which caused an estimated damage of Rs 20,000 Crores, particularly in border areas, to crops, homes, and infrastructure.

Finance Minister Harpal Singh Cheema highlighted the ...