Photo used for indicative purpose only. Courtesy : Internet
Shimla, Feb 15
The Himachal Pradesh assembly today was informed that the Union government provided the State with just Rs. 787.25 Crore under the National Disaster Response Fund during this monsoon season. However, the state government received Rs. 251.39 Cr in the Chief Minister’s Relief fund during the monsoon disaster last year.
This was stated by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in reply to a query raised by BJP member Randhir Sharma (Shri Naina Devi Ji) during the question hour on Thursday. Thakur said that the state collected Rs. 251.39 Cr in the CM Disaster Relief Fund and received Rs. 1148.05 Cr from the Central Government under the State Disaster Response Fund or National Disaster Response Fund in the financial year 2023-24.
The state received a total of Rs. 360.80 Cr under SDRF, with Rs. 180.40 Cr each in the SDRF on July 10 and 17, 2023, which were pending instalments. The State received Rs. 787.25 Cr under NDRF, with Rs. 189.27 Cr released to the state on August 8, 2023, Rs. 200 Cr on August 21, 2023, and Rs. 397.98 Cr on December 19, 2023. The state received a grand total of funds amounting to Rs. 1148.05 Cr, including Rs. 360.80 Cr under SDRF (pending since last year) and NDRF Rs. 787.25 Cr.
It is worth mentioning that the state government is demanding a Rs. 12000 Cr package from the center to help the state support affected people. During the discussion on the Governor’s address, Congress member Inder Dutt Lakhan Pal also highlighted that the center is discriminating against Himachal Pradesh in natural disasters. He said that apart from the SDRF and NDRF share, the center has not provided a single penny so far, despite its national leaders making tall claims of helping the state.
BJP member Hansraj stated that the Modi Government helped the state provide new houses to about 10,000 people, and the state government should not take credit for the new houses. Members said that a rain-affected person allotted Rs. 4 lakh has not received the funds for affected houses so far.
The state Government has announced a Rs. 4500 Crore package from its own resources and released the ex-gratia to the affected people in the state. Also, it was providing money for the affected houses and extended rents of Rs. 5000 per month in rural areas and Rs. 10,000 in urban areas to affected people since they have not yet shifted to their new houses.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
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