Shimla, Aug. 29 -- Cutting across party lines, legislators in the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha on Thursday unanimously voiced concern over the devastation caused by incessant monsoon rains and urged the Centre to declare the calamity in the state as a national disaster.
Moving a resolution under Rule 102, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said Himachal Pradesh has suffered unprecedented destruction, and the Assembly must appeal to the Centre for urgent financial assistance.
"This is a disaster of such magnitude that it must be declared a national calamity," Chauhan said. The resolution was passed by voice vote, with even the Opposition supporting it.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, replying to the debate, accused th...