Three Punjab Ministers Discuss Cruise Trips During Punjab Flood Inspection, Draw Flak | Video

Last Updated:August 29, 2025, 16:25 IST

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 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."

While BJP leader Tarun Chugh tweeted, “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? 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)"

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’ source 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. Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has asked local authorities to speed up rescue and relief work to help those impacted.

Punjab, India, India

News politics Three Punjab Ministers Discuss Cruise Trips During Punjab Flood Inspection, Draw Flak | Video

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