HP Govt plans one-time settlement policy for disaster victims, announces Rs 7Cr. relief
Shimla/Thunag, Jul 10,
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, during his second day of visit to the disaster-hit Seraj Assembly Constituency, announced a relief package of Rs. 7 Crore for immediate restoration work.
The Chief Minister visited the worst-affected villages of Thunag, Bagsiad, Deji, Bara, and Syanj, where cloudbursts and landslides caused massive destruction, claiming lives and leaving dozens missing.
Of the total relief, Rs 2 crore each will be allocated to the Public Works and Jal Shakti Departments, while Rs one crore has been earmarked for the Block Development Office. This comes in addition to Rs two crore previously released. Sukhu instructed officers to declare houses unsafe due to debris or damage as “completely destroyed” to ensure maximum compensation, including for damaged household goods and livestock.
In Deji village, 11 people remain missing, while two deaths were reported from Bara and four from Syanj. The CM offered condolences to the bereaved families and assured complete support. He also proposed a one-time settlement policy for resettling families whose land and homes have become uninhabitable. With 68 per cent of the state being forest land, the government will seek central permission to rehabilitate people on forest areas.
Interacting with locals at Pakhrar Panchayat Ghar, Sukhu emphasized swift assessment of losses, including damage to horticultural crops. He also announced that temporary classes for the damaged Forestry and Horticulture College in Thunag would be held in Sundernagar.
The Chief Minister commended NCC cadets and SDRF teams assisting in relief work and acknowledged the Indian Army’s deployment of 26 personnel. He also assured to open a CBSE-affiliated school in Thunag after hearing grievances from schoolgirls.
The government has invoked emergency provisions to support affected families beyond routine limits, including provision of land, free ration, clothes, and house rent up to Rs. 5,000 per family. Monthly assistance to milk producers has also been raised to Rs 1,400.
Search operations continue for 34 missing persons by the NDRF, SDRF, and the Army. Cabinet-level decisions for a special relief package are expected soon.
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