Sukhu seeks different pattern for financial assistance to Hill States during natural calamities

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held a meeting with an eight-member central team led by financial advisor, National Disaster Management Authority, (NDMA) Ravneesh Kumar who had come to assess the damage caused by the natures fury in the state. He sought immediate assistance from  the Union Government for the losses the State suffered due to flash floods and landslides triggered by heavy rains.

Himachal should also get adequate financial succor on the analogy of the assistance provided by the Central Government to the Uttarakhand State during the disaster in Kedarnath in June 2013. The Chief Minister said that as per guidelines of the Union Government, there was a provision of very little financial assistance and advocated that the GoI should provide financial assistance on a different pattern to Himachal Pradesh and other hill states considering their geographical conditions and high cost of construction.

Due to heavy rains and floods the power and the water supply schemes besides the road projects and bridges which have been extensively damaged, and will take enough time to be restored permanently. In such a situation, the Central Government will have to come forward to help Himachal Pradesh to recover from this tragedy, said Sh. Sukhu.

The Himachal Pradesh Government has also written a letter to the Central Government for interim relief and a revised memorandum would be given after the monsoon.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Finance Secretary Akshay Sood, Special Secretary Revenue, D.C. Rana, Principal Private Secretary to Chief Minister, Vivek Bhatia and other officials were also present in the meeting.