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No special disaster relief funds from Centre, Sukhu hits back at Anurag
“Whatever funds we got were already due to the state,” Sukhu said while speaking to media persons at Dharamshala
Hitting back at Union information and broadcasting minister Anurag Singh Thakur, Himachal chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday said that state had not received any special relief funds for monsoon-related disasters.
“Whatever funds we got were already due to the state,” Sukhu said while speaking to media persons at Dharamshala.
His remark came in response to Thakur’s claim that the Centre had given Himachal ₹862 crore during the rain-related calamities and ₹2,700 crore for rural roads. Thakur had alleged that the state government was using central funds to pay disaster compensation.
The Union minister, in a program at Dhaliara on Sunday, had challenged Sukhu to give an affidavit “if the centre had not given any relief funds to the state”.
“My words are my affidavit. I won’t lie sitting on a responsible chair,” said the chief minister.
He said that the state has submitted a memorandum of ₹12,000 for aid but has received nothing even as a central team has visited the state thrice to review the situation.
The funds state has got were part of annual disaster relief, a provision of which is made in the budget, he said, adding that the state gets those funds irrespective of the ground reality. The first instalment of the funds was released in July and December instalment was given in advance, he added.
The chief minister said that Kangra would get a minister when he expands his cabinet.
Road-connectivity for unexplored tourist spots
Sukhu said that special emphasis was being laid on developing infrastructure to promote tourism and unexplored tourist destinations were being connected with roads.
He was speaking after performing the “bhoomi pujan” at Mcleodganj-Bhagsunag-Tau Chaola road and Hiru Dasalan-Tamru Chaola road being constructed at a cost of ₹7.13 crore and ₹6.12 crore, respectively. The CM said that nature has blessed Himachal with panoramic beauty which attracts tourists from across the world.
Earlier, cheques for ₹1 lakh each were presented to the chief minister towards the CM relief fund by the Lions Club and Rotary Club, Dharamshala.
