New Delhi July 17, 2024 : Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Union Home Minister Amit Shah today, seeking urgent release of Rs. 9,042 crore in financial assistance for disaster management in Himachal Pradesh. Highlighting the state’s vulnerability to natural disasters, Sukhu emphasized the critical need for funds following last year’s severe monsoon-triggered flash floods and landslides.
Sukhu explained that the post-disaster assessment conducted by a central team had determined the financial requirement, but the funds were still pending with the ministry. With the monsoon season already underway, he stressed the urgency of the situation.
The Chief Minister also noted that Rs. 61.07 crore, allocated under the State Disaster Response Fund for the 2019-20 financial year as per the 14th Finance Commission’s recommendation, was still due to the state. Additionally, he mentioned that the 15th Finance Commission had entitled Himachal Pradesh to Rs. 200 crore for the financial years 2021-26 to manage landslides and earthquakes effectively. Another Rs. 60.10 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) was also pending.
Sukhu requested swift approval for a detailed project worth Rs. 125.84 crore submitted to the Union Ministry under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund. He underlined the necessity of establishing National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) campuses in Himachal Pradesh and urged the commencement of construction at Mandi, Rampur, and Nalagarh.
Additionally, the Chief Minister sought action against unauthorized possession and encroachment on state government land along the inter-state boundary between Lahaul Spiti and Ladakh at Sarchu and Shinkula.
Principal Secretary Finance Devesh Kumar, Chief Minister’s Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, and Resident Commissioner Meera Mohanty accompanied Chief Minister Sukhu during the meeting.
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