Sukhu calls on Shah, seeks liberal aid from Centre for relief work
Shimla, July 16 -- Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday met Union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and requested liberal support from the central government for relief and restoration works for the damage occurring in the state following the flash floods and cloudbursts during the monsoon season.
Sukhu apprised Shah regarding the losses incurred by Himachal Pradesh due to flash floods and cloudbursts.
Sukhu shared that precious lives have been lost and key infrastructure, including roads, bridges, buildings, irrigation schemes, water supply schemes and electricity supply systems had been severely affected during this disaster.
Sukhu added that the state government was making every effort to provide relief to the affected people through the state disaster response fund (SDRF) and the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). However, due to the repeated occurrence of such disasters, it had become increasingly difficult for the state to undertake restoration works and rebuild infrastructure with its limited resources. Sukhu pointed out that the existing guidelines fixed by the central government regarding the sanctioning of relief and restoration activities were inadequate, considering the difficult topographical conditions of the state. He strongly urged for amendments in the existing norms, specifically raising the current limit from 10% to 30% , which would provide significant support to the state in its relief and restoration efforts.
The Union home minister assured the Chief Minister of all possible assistance to the state.
Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday called on Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari at New Delhi and sought support for repair and reconstruction of and repair of roads damaged due to recent rainfall and flash floods in the state.
He also urged for including a few roads in PM Gati Shakti Yojana. Sukhu also updated the Union minister about the delays in National Highway projects due to various reasons and requested to address these at the earliest and to start construction works on the same at the earliest. The Union minister assured of all possible assistance to the state and gave necessary directions to the officers.
Himachal CM met Dr Arvind Panagariya, chairman 16th Finance Commission, on Tuesday and sought the panel's co-operation for strengthening the economic condition of the state.
He also requested the commission for the creation of a separate 'Green Fund' with an earmarked annual allocation for hill states. Sukhu added that this issue was discussed with the prime minister too, a statement from the state government said.
Pointing out the much higher expenditure incurred in a hill state compared to other states, Sukhu said that devolution to a hill state should be at least twice than their share of population.
He requested for continuation of Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG) keeping in view topographical disadvantages and limited scope for raising revenue. He added that the state is facing a financial crisis because of steep tapering of RDG by the 15th Finance Commission. Dr Arvind Panagariya assured of all possible assistance to the state.
Panchayati Raj minister Anirudh Singh on Tuesday said he will meet Union minister Nitin Gadkari on July 19 and raise public grievances related to the four-laning projects.
"I have been receiving regular complaints from the public about damages caused to their homes, land and farms due to highway widening works. Even Anurag Thakur has expressed concern, and I noticed that Nitin Gadkari himself seems to be receiving a wave of complaints online. I will seek an appointment with him and present a detailed report on the state of NH four-laning projects in Himachal," said Singh....
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