‘Assistance announced by Central Govt too little, too late’

Naresh Chauhan, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister, today criticised the Central Government’s announcement of Rs 2,006 crore as disaster aid for Himachal Pradesh, calling it too little and

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too late.

“It is a matter of grave concern that against the state’s meticulously prepared Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), which estimated losses of around Rs 10,000 crore, the Centre has sanctioned a paltry amount. Out of this, only Rs 1,500 crore is the actual central share, while the remaining is the contribution of the state government,” said Chauhan.

He said such a small and symbolic response was a clear betrayal to the hopes and needs of the people of the state, who faced widespread devastation due to an unprecedented natural disaster. Despite repeated requests, follow-ups and high-level meetings by the state government, the Central government showed neither urgency nor the compassion expected in a crisis of this magnitude.

Chauhan said that while the Centre remained indifferent, the state government proactively launched a Rs 4,500 crore relief and rehabilitation package from its own limited resources. Criticising the Centre for releasing aid nearly one and a half years after the disaster, Chauhan said the delay exposed the Centre’s indifferent attitude towards the non-BJP ruled states.

“The Centre is treating Himachal like an orphaned state simply because its people elected a Congress government. This kind of political bias and discriminatory treatment is shameful in a democracy,” he said.

Chauhan also singled out BJP MP Anurag Thakur for not standing up for the state in the hour of need. “He neither fought for Himachal’s rightful dues nor used his position to ensure timely support from the Centre,” said Chauhan.

He further said that recent conduct of BJP leaders in Paonta Sahib was highly irresponsible and provocative. “The slogans raised during BJP’s protest deeply hurt the sentiments of the community and were clearly intended to disturb peace and harmony in the region,” he alleged.