SHIMLA : Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reaffirmed that Himachal Pradesh is now a safe destination for tourists. CM advised leader of the opposition Jai Ram Thakur to plead Himachal case before Prime Minister and Home Minister to get relief package rather than indulging in petty politics over disaster.
Talking to media CM Sukhu said the travel routes connecting the state's picturesque destinations have been substantially restored, ensuring the safety of travelers.
Speaking from Nadaun, Chief Minister Sukhu welcomed tourists to explore the scenic beauty of Himachal, including Chamba, Kangra, Shimla, Solan, and other parts of the state, emphasizing that the roads are now fully operational.
He also reiterated the government's commitment to effectively address disasters and provide much-needed assistance to affected families.
However, he expressed his displeasure over what he termed as "petty politics" being played by the Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the name of disaster relief.
The Chief Minister criticized the LoP for engaging in political manipulation instead of showing sympathy for the disaster-affected people.
He urged the LoP to take up the matter with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah and request a special disaster relief package for Himachal, similar to what was provided in the aftermath of the Kedarnath and Bhuj tragedies.
Furthermore, Chief Minister Sukhu revealed that the state government had repeatedly appealed to the Union Government to declare the disaster in Himachal as a National Calamity, but no action had been taken on this front by the Union government.
He assured that the state government would spare no effort to provide assistance to affected families using its own resources.
In a scathing remark, Sh. Sukhu criticized the previous BJP government for pushing the state into a debt trap of Rs. 75 thousand crore.
He accused the previous government of making political announcements without fulfilling arrears and allowances owed to employees.
He emphasized that the Congress government, upon taking office, had made the landmark decision to reinstate the old pension system for its employees, despite facing financial constraints.
