On Sunday, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu,the chief minister of Himachal Pradesh said that the existing relief manual of the Union government’s financial provisions fell short to compensate for the state’s losses.
Considering the state’s geographical conditions and the disaster’s severity, he called for a customized relief package.
In Shimla, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu engaged in an in-depth discussion with BJP national president J P Nadda and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur to address the significant damage caused by a recent disaster in Himachal Pradesh. During the meeting, Sukhu highlighted the extensive damage that has been caused including landslides, destruction of homes, and damage to property.
A detailed overview of the calamity’s impact on Himachal Pradesh was provided by him and he appealed for financial aid similar to that offered during the Kedarnath and Bhuj tragedies to aid in the state’s recovery efforts. Concerns about the delayed release of the first instalment of interim relief from the union government was also raised by him.
Referring to the losses over Rs 10,000 crore due to heavy rains and landslides during the current monsoon season, he urged J P Nadda and Anurag Singh Thakur to expedite the provision of financial assistance,.
He noted that interim relief was still pending despite the assessment teams being dispatched by the central government. The state government was using its limited resources for supporting the affected people. Sukhu shared that under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) the Centre had released an annual allocation of Rs 360 crore in two instalments.
Out of the held-up Rs 315 crore, the union government had paid Rs 189 crore due to the state government’s efforts to address audit objections.
He called for the quick payment of the remaining Rs 126 crore. By August 10th, the state government submitted claims amounting to Rs 6,700 crore, mentioning about the details of the damages caused. Sukhu also elaborated on the state’s initiatives for improving structural engineering and drainage systems along with plans for a new town near Shimla called Jathiya Devi. J P Nadda, the BJP national president expressed the Union government’s commitment for offering substantial assistance to Himachal Pradesh in light of the unprecedented loss.
He assured that the for making the release of the first instalment of interim relief efforts would be made. Nadda pointed out Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s unwavering support for the state during these challenging times. He also spoke of the determination of the Union government for mitigating losses and ensuring sufficient funds for recovery.
