2700 km including 16,206 houses in the disaster. Got the roads approved, Congress just did nepotism: Anurag Thakur

Himachal Pradesh: Union Minister for Information Broadcasting and Sports and Youth Affairs, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur, while reacting to the recent statements of Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, has said that Sukhu is trying to cover up the failed guarantees of Congress. They are chanting garlands and the Chief Minister is taking the help of my name to hide his failures whereas everyone knows that at the time of the disaster, the Modi government stood firmly with the people of Himachal and has given every possible help to Devbhoomi.

Shri Anurag Singh Thakur said, “State Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu’s recent statements regarding me show his frustration and disappointment. Sukhu is chanting the garland of BJP to cover up the failed guarantees of Congress and the Chief Minister is taking the help of my name to hide his failures whereas everyone knows that Modi government stood firmly with the people of Himachal during the disaster. And has given every possible help to Devbhoomi.

Respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has always given priority to Himachal and considered it his second home. At the time of the disaster, he himself talked to the Chief Minister, took stock of the situation and ensured all the necessary help, but doing politics even in disasters is an old habit of the Congress and the recent statements of the Chief Minister are suffering from this ill will.

Speaking further, Shri Anurag Thakur said, “If the Chief Minister has forgotten, then I would like to remind him again that during the disaster in Himachal, I had collaborated with Union Rural Development Minister Shri Giriraj Singh ji thrice to arrange 16,206 thousand houses for the housing scheme for the state. Under this, 2700 km to be built at a cost of Rs 2373 crore. Got the roads approved under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana. As far as money is concerned, on the instructions of respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Central Government gave ₹ 180 – 180 crore in the first two installments, then gave about ₹ 400 crore only for the repair of roads. After this, ₹189 crore was sent separately. On August 20, another ₹ 200 crore was sent and on December 12, about ₹ 633 crore was sent, that is, a total financial assistance of ₹ 1782 crore was sent to Himachal by the Central Government. Under the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme, approximately Rs 434 crore has been given to the Himachal Pradesh State Government since July by the Centre.

Shri Anurag Thakur said, “The entire state knows that not only did the Congress guarantees fail, the Sukhu government also indulged in nepotism in providing relief from the money received from the Center for the disaster. The Sukhu government has given priority to its favorites even while distributing money and setting up tarpaulins, ignoring the general public. With his own credibility at stake and seeing himself surrounded from all sides, the Chief Minister is talking without any basis. We are engaged in serving the state with full seriousness and authenticity.

Speaking further, Shri Anurag Thakur said, “In view of the seriousness of the disaster in Himachal, 13 teams of NDRF along with rescue boats and other necessary equipment were deployed by the Central Government. 1 Para SF of the Army at Paonta Sahib for the evacuation of civilians. And 01 column of 205 Army Aviation Squadron was also deployed. Along with this, 02 Mi-17V helicopters of Indian Air Force were also deployed for rescue operations due to which thousands of lives could be saved in time. Help was also provided through National Forensic Science University. I myself stayed in Himachal for several days and toured the entire area extensively and ensured relief and rescue operations till the last victim. After asking for a time bound report from the Patwaris, the DC was instructed to release the money immediately. If anyone’s house was in danger, we gave money to build a security wall there and also held Disha Committee meetings regularly so that there was no shortage in relief and rescue work. All these things are known to every resident of the state, but The Chief Minister is talking baseless things just for political gains.”