Is the Himachal govt's attitude towards the natural calamity unfortunate?

Shimla, Aug 18 (NationPress) The Leader of Opposition in Himachal Pradesh and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur criticized the Congress government for its unfortunate response to the ongoing natural calamity in the state.

“The losses amount to thousands of crores, yet the Chief Minister has only announced a meager Rs two crore in multiple installments. Despite this, the government expects us to commend them,” Thakur stated during the assembly session that commenced on this day.

While addressing the assembly under Rule 67 (adjournment motion), he urged the government to reassess their actions.

“Is the relief provided sufficient? With roads still closed even after over a month and a half, who is responsible for this? We had to mobilize over 20 JCB machines to reopen roads, while the government merely installed a few machines and boasts of their numbers,” the BJP leader emphasized.

“The real question is not how many machines were installed but how many were necessary to ensure timely road openings. We need to discuss what the government should have done and how to offer compensation for the losses endured by the people,” he added.

Thakur accused the government of using the disaster as a chance for corruption, claiming that leaders protected by the government have crossed all limits.

“The roads we opened by requesting machines from the public are now being claimed by Congress leaders, who want tenders issued in their names to receive payment,” he noted. “This level of corruption is rampant in disaster-stricken areas.”

The former Chief Minister criticized the government for prioritizing ways to seize resources rather than providing real relief in affected regions.

“It took the government weeks to distribute Rs 2500 as immediate relief,” he lamented.

Thakur suggested that the government should construct temporary shelters for the affected individuals. “The structures built by the previous administration seem to irritate the current government, which often discredits them. If they are so displeased, they should just demolish them,” he remarked.

Despite the criticism, he acknowledged that many officials performed admirably during this crisis and expressed gratitude towards them, highlighting the need for further improvements.

Earlier, the assembly reached a consensus to accept notices from treasury bench members and the opposition for an adjournment motion under Rule 67 and a calling attention motion under Rule 130 to address the severe damage inflicted by heavy monsoon rains in the state.

The BJP members insisted on an immediate discussion, citing the extensive damage to life and property.

An official reported that relentless rains continued to trigger landslides, impacting over 400 roads, including three national highways, on that Monday.