SHIMLA: During the marathon discussion with BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda, and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Anurag Singh Thakur here today, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu appealed for financial aid similar to that provided during past tragedies like Kedarnath and Bhuj in Gujarat in the past.
It is a month after the fury of rains, cloudbursts, flash floods, landslides struck its blow to Himachal that the state's leaders in command from Congress and BJP including CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, BJP National Chief Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union minister, Anurag Singh Thakur and others came on board to fight the natural calamity.
But the absence of Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, HP Congress Chief and Mandi Lok Sabha MP Pratibha Singh from the meeting has generated political speculations on Sadbhavana Divas of the Late PM Rajeev Gandhi here today.
They held a detailed discussion here in a marathon meeting here today after Nadda and Anurag Thakur airdashed here to address the recent disaster in Himachal Pradesh.
The Chief Minister highlighted the extensive damage caused by the calamity similar to Kedarnath, Bhuj.
He said severity of the situation, including substantial landslides, destruction of homes, and damage to public and private property was unparallel.
The Chief Minister pointed out that the current Relief Manual's provisions by the Union government were insufficient to cover the losses in Himachal Pradesh.
He called for a specially tailored relief package that takes into account the state's geographical conditions and the severity of the disaster.
Chief Minister also raised concerns about the delayed release of the first installment of interim relief from the Union Government.
He urged JP Nadda and Anurag Singh Thakur to expedite the process of providing financial assistance.
Chief Minister revealed that heavy rains and landslides in the monsoon season had caused losses exceeding Rs. 10,000 crore.
He noted that despite assessment teams being sent by the central government, the interim relief had not been provided yet.
The Chief Minister mentioned that the state government had been using its limited resources to support the affected population.
Regarding financial support, the Chief Minister informed that the Union Government had released Rs. 189 crore out of the held-up Rs. 315 crore from the allocation of Rs. 360 crore annually under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF).
He urged for the prompt disbursement of the remaining Rs. 126 crore.
The Chief Minister stated that as of August 10, 2023, the state government had submitted claims worth Rs. 6,700 crore to the central government, detailing the damages caused in the state.
He also mentioned the state's initiatives to improve structural engineering and drainage systems, including plans for a new town near Shimla in Jathiya Devi.
BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda assured the Union government's commitment to providing substantial assistance to Himachal Pradesh.
Nadda said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised to support Himachal during these challenging times.
Nadda underlined the Union Government's resolve to mitigate losses and ensure adequate funds for recovery.
Union Minister Anurag Singh Thakur and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur also shared their insights during the meeting.
The meeting was attended by MPs Suresh Kashyap and Sikandar Kumar, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, BJP State President Dr. Rajeev Bindal, Former Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, MLA Balbir Verma, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister Bharat Kheda and others
