Breaking News: PM Modi Announces ₹1,500-Crore Special Relief Package for Flood-Hit Himachal
DHARAMSHALA , Sept 9: Prime Minister Narendra Modi today announced a ₹1,500 crore special relief package for Himachal Pradesh after conducting an aerial survey of flood-hit Kangra and meeting survivors of the recent calamities.
The Prime Minister, who landed at Gaggal Airport this morning, first took stock of the widespread destruction caused by flash floods and landslides.
Later, Modi met disaster-hit families, including an 11-month-old girl Nikita from Gohar in Mandi, who miraculously survived a landslide but lost her entire family.
In a significant moment during the review meeting, PM Modi also took a pot-shot at the damage projections made by the Himachal Chief Secretary, with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, cabinet ministers, and senior officials all present.
According to sources, the relief package of ₹1,500 crore is aimed at bailing the hill state out of its present crisis, with funds expected to be directed towards rebuilding critical infrastructure—roads, bridges, schools, hospitals—as well as providing compensation to affected families.
The assistance includes advance release of the second instalment of SDRF, funds under PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi, PM Awas Yojana, PMNRF, restoration of national highways, and mini kits for livestock.
Damaged houses and schools will be geotagged for quicker relief under PMAY and Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. Farmers without power connections will get targeted support, and recharge structures will be built for rainwater harvesting.
PM Modi also declared an ex-gratia of ₹2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and ₹50,000 to the injured. He met affected families, expressed condolences, and assured full cooperation of the Centre in rebuilding lives and infrastructure.
The Prime Minister lauded the efforts of NDRF, SDRF, Army, state administration and Aapda Mitra volunteers in immediate relief.
He said Inter-Ministerial Central Teams have already assessed the damage, and further aid will follow their report and the state’s memorandum.
This package comes as Himachal reels under unprecedented natural disasters that have left hundreds dead, thousands displaced, and entire villages cut off.
Experts say the financial support will give the cash-strapped hill state much-needed breathing space to kickstart relief and rehabilitation.
CM Sukhu's Response: Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s announcement of a ₹1,500 crore relief package for Himachal Pradesh but said the real test lies in what form this aid finally comes to the state.
Sukhu stressed that the rehabilitation of uprooted families cannot be done without land. “Each affected family needs at least one bigha land, and for that the Forest Conservation Act has to be amended. We urged him to amend law and allow mining and dredging to channelise the rivers ".
The Chief Minister pointed out that the state has already earmarked sites in forest land for rehabilitation.
“So far nearly 5,000 houses have been destroyed, and the number may rise to 10,000–12,000. Without land and a special package, just doling out small sums will not rebuild lives". We need Rs 5000 Crore in real support,” Sukhu said.
He added that apart from homes, cattle, crops, and livelihoods have also been lost, and compensation norms must be revised. “If the Centre is serious, it must ensure concrete relief, not token announcements. Only then can Himachal stand on its feet again,” Sukhu asserted.
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