Himachal CM Requests Amit Shah for 2023 Disaster Relief Funds
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Synopsis
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu met with Amit Shah to request funds for damages from 2023 monsoon. The state awaits compensation for extensive losses affecting infrastructure and livelihoods and has so far relied on its own resources.
Key Takeaways
- Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu met Amit Shah for support.
- State faces significant losses from the 2023 monsoon.
- Central assistance of Rs 633 crore is insufficient.
- Heavy rains caused damage to infrastructure and resources.
- Interim relief of Rs 200 crore was previously allocated.
New Delhi, March 22 (NationPress) Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Sukhu, met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Saturday to request the allocation of funds for compensating the damages incurred during the monsoon of 2023.
The Chief Minister highlighted that the state had submitted a request for financial aid based on a post-disaster needs assessment, but the Central government has yet to respond.
Sukhu informed the Home Minister that the state faced significant damages from the rains, impacting drinking water supplies, irrigation projects, infrastructure, roads, and bridges, necessitating immediate relief and rehabilitation efforts. However, the state has been utilizing its own resources to manage the crisis.
Additionally, the Chief Minister addressed various other matters related to the state, according to an official statement.
The Union Home Minister assured that all possible support would be provided.
Onkar Chand Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary and Secretary of Revenue, was also present during the meeting.
Previously, Chief Minister Sukhu mentioned that the state received Rs 633 crore from the Central government, which only represents 6.40 percent of the total estimated loss of Rs 9,905 crore. In a statement made in the legislative assembly last year, he noted that 500 lives were lost due to the severe destruction caused by heavy rainfall.
Inviting the opposition BJP to join him in informing the Prime Minister about the actual losses and to seek additional Central assistance for relief and rehabilitation in affected regions, Sukhu stated that an interim relief of Rs 200 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund was issued on September 16 of last year. "At least Rs 1,658 crore should be allocated to the state. However, as of December 19, the Government of India has only approved Rs 633.73 crore, which is inadequate to address the extensive destruction. The sanctioned amount is merely 6.40 percent of the total loss," he remarked in December.
