Shimla, August 18: The monsoon session of the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha opened on a stormy note Monday, with Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur tearing into the Congress government over its handling of the recent natural disaster.
Thakur, speaking on a suspension motion in the House, claimed that Seraj alone has suffered losses of nearly ₹1,000 crore, but the Sukhu government has released just ₹2 crore so far.
“Even after six weeks, roads, power lines, and water supply remain in shambles. Instead of helping people, some ‘protected’ Congress leaders have turned disaster into an opportunity,” he said, adding that corruption in relief distribution has “crossed all limits.”
The former CM demanded war-level restoration of basic services, construction of temporary shelters, and immediate relief to families still struggling under the open sky. He thanked the Centre for its intervention but warned that the state government’s apathy was leaving affected families in despair.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu countered, saying the government is open to discussions with all stakeholders on disaster management.
He said he has already met Union Ministers, sought a special relief package, and urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to personally visit Himachal’s worst-hit regions.
A central assessment team is expected soon to evaluate the losses.
Listing state efforts, Sukhu reminded the House that families who lost homes are being given ₹7 lakh assistance, a ₹100 crore relief package has been sanctioned, and a ₹3,000 crore livelihood and disaster mitigation plan has been rolled out as part of his Independence Day announcements.
Opposition benches, however, remained unconvinced.
“People are still waiting for relief while ministers make tall claims. Disaster-hit families cannot live on promises,” Thakur shot back, vowing to continue pressing the issue in Delhi as well.
With nearly 1,000 questions lined up for this 12-day session—one of the longest in Himachal’s Assembly history—the tug-of-war over disaster relief is expected to dominate the proceedings, keeping both treasury and opposition benches on edge.
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