Counting the deficit, the state government brings a proposal to declare the monsoon-displaced devastation in Himachal Pradesh as a national disaster.
According to the statement made by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri in the Assembly on Thursday, the state has suffered a loss till now. 2,623 crore.
Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwordan Chauhan on Thursday carried forward a proposal by declaring a constant havoc as a national disaster under Rule 102 before the Himachal Pradesh State Legislative Assembly in various parts of Himachal Pradesh.
“A resolution has been passed by the State Legislative Assembly which unanimously demands the Center to declare the devastation as a national disaster and announces a special relief package for the state,” Agnihotri said on Thursday talking to the media.
Speaking in the assembly, Chauhan said, “The state has faced massive destruction. However, I do not think the assembly may be postponed as many important cases have to be raised, besides some bills have to be passed. So I transferred a resolution, urging the Center to declare the rains in Himachal as a national disaster, in which he could participate in the form of a national disaster.”
“Sankalp is in the interest of the state, so it will be debated. I am accepting the proposal for debate after relaxing the notice period of three days compulsory for debate under Rule 102,” said Kuldeep Pathniya, the speaker of “importance and urgency”.
The MLAs of both the ruling Congress party and the opposition BJP debated the state of rain disaster in the state to urge the Center to declare rain disaster as a national disaster. Even after the resolution is passed, the center will be sent.
Supporting the proposal, opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur said, “Opposition would support resolution as it was severely affected throughout the state and we are all equally concerned that timely help should reach the affected people and the restoration work should be quick and effective”. However, he said, “Given the situation, there is an urgent need for helicopters to save people, especially for people facing medical problems in Lahaul Spey because it will take a long time to restore road connectivity.”
Agnihotri informed the house that a helicopter was required for Lahol Speti and four for Chamba.
The Himachal Pradesh monsoon session was adjourned for about 15 minutes after a hot exchange between the ruling party and the opposition during the discussion on the point of the order brought by the Kesar Party MLA on the issue of damage done by various districts in the last 72 hours.
The disaster began as Agnihotri, giving details of the action taken by the government in providing relief and fasting in the hit districts – Chamba, Kullu, Manali, Lahaul Spty and Mandi accused the BJP of doing politics on disaster. Reacting strongly, BJP MLAs stood on their seats and after hot exchange, BJP MLAs went out of the house.
Killing the BJP, Agnihotri said, “The government is sensitive to the situation, but the assumption is being given that the government is doing nothing. With our limited resources we are providing all possible help on the ground.”
He said that Chamba, Kangra, Kullu districts are affected by rain from August 24 to August 27. He said that the Manimahesh Yatra was suspended and 3,269 pilgrims have been taken out with 1730 men, 1259 women and 280 children. Agnihort told the house that the Lahaul Spey Intera Circle Roaming in Chamba has been started to restore communication.
Talking to the media outside the assembly, Jai Ram Thakur said, “The entire villages have been washed. Kullu-Manali road has been blocked for the last three days, all the routes are cut and thousands of tourists are trapped. People are spending nights in their vehicles. There are no people in Lahol and Chamba. Used to raise the issue of deploying helicopters, but the state government “did not take any action.” He said, “The government is misleading that many people are trapped, the deputy CM told the house that ‘everything is fine’. Many areas of Kullu -Manili, Lahaul -Spity and Chamba are inaccessible. “
In a fearful attack, the Leader of the Opposition questioned the absence of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu.
“This is the most important issue before the assembly. Even when the state is in the grip of disaster, it is not here to lead relief efforts instead of CM, it is participating in political events.
Talking to reporters about the situation, Chura MLA Hans Raj said, “This is frightening, as many parts of the constituency are cut off.”
He said, “Heavy rains have destroyed different districts, but this time Chamba has been severely killed. My constituency has been completely cut off, there is no contact with the region, and we do not have casualty figures. Chamba headquarters is still inaccessible. Dalhausi, Churah, Pangi, and SAC pass have been received more than one foot. He said, “The state government is missing from the ground, and the Chief Minister should have monitored the situation here. Instead, it is away from political events. People are worried because the government is not informing them about the real situation,” he said.
Flash floods starting with heavy rains have cut the main roads, which are stranded in Lahol Spiel.
Speaking in the assembly, MLA Anuradha Rana said, “National Highway 3 was blocked, and about 70 trucks were stuck near the stingary. Some people were also trapped between Pagal Nala and Telangana, which is very close to the Atal tunnel. The administration and departments immediately worked and ensured the safety of the people.” He said that due to adequate medical facilities and the absence of road connectivity, with three seriously sick patients, hostemps, was airlifted from Killaong to Bhantar Airport. “BRO (Border Rhodes Organizations) and PWD are working on road restoration. Many roads connecting Kullu and Manali are blocked. It is a major challenge to take our crops to markets. We may require military assistance to ensure that the roads are reopening quickly, especially for medical emergencies.”
Rana said that in recent times, power and mobile connectivity were badly hit, although electricity was restored in some areas. Network services were slowly starting.
The MLA reported that the Disaster Management Act has been implemented, all officers were remembered by holiday and deployed in the area. Control papers have been established, and food supply, including packed food, have been provided to those trapped through local women groups and panchayats.
Kuldeep Singh Pathania, Speaker of Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, held a high-power meeting with senior officials (NHAI) of the National Highways Authority and the departments of the state government, reviewing the efforts and coordination of road restoration in ongoing relief work.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Thursday assured the House that cess imposed by the Himachal Pradesh government will not put any additional burden on the common man. Responding to a Query BJP MLA from Bikram Singh in the question hour, Agnihotri said that the 10 cess and revenue generated by the Himachal Pradesh government will be used in public interest and welfare activities.
Agnihotri told that revenue 762 crore rupees have been generated from 10 cess, some of which were invested during the BJP government. The government was assuring that cess was imposed on big industrialists, liquor traders and contractors and did not affect the common man, he said. Hot exchange was observed when Bikram Thakur questioned the transparency and effectiveness of the cess and the deputy CM said that the Finance Department was preparing a stringent SOP (standard operating process) to spend the money collected through the cess.
