India, Aug. 31 -- Punjab's water resources minister Barinder Kumar Goyal has criticised the central government holding it responsible for worsening the state's worst flood disaster in the past 37 years.

Addressing a press conference at Punjab Bhawan, Goyal asserted that the timely release of water by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) in June could have significantly reduced the damage caused by the floods.

The Minister lamented that even as lakhs of people in Punjab continue to suffer, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not made a single statement on the crisis, let alone extend any support to the state. He highlighted a troubling contradiction, pointing out that while Haryana sent letters offering assistance, it simultaneously redu...