Centre ‘withholding’ Rs 1,500-crore relief aid announced by PM: Congress

Deputy Chief Whip of the Congress in the Assembly Kewal Singh Pathania on Friday accused the Centre of withholding the Rs 1,500-crore disaster relief package announced for the state. He alleged that the BJP was trying to play politics over people’s sufferings in the state.

Pathania said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently announced the package, yet not one instalment had reached the state treasury. “The state has faced losses to the tune of over Rs 5,000 crore during this monsoon season but the Central Government has not released even a penny. This exposes the double standards of BJP leaders, who mislead the public with announcements but fail to back them with action,” he added.

Pathania said that 427 lives were lost between June 20 and September 19 while roads, agriculture, horticulture and government infrastructure suffered massive destruction. He added that the Himachal Government was offering the highest compensation in the country of Rs 7 lakh for rebuilding disaster-hit houses compared to just Rs 1.30 lakh sanctioned under Central Government norms.

He drew a parallel with the 2023 rain disaster and flashfloods and said that the state had been forced to arrange Rs 500 crore for relief from its own resources as the Central aid was delayed. He accused the BJP leaders of “photo-ops and delivering speeches” without delivering meaningful help to the disaster victims.

The charge is seen as part of an escalating political confrontation between the government and the BJP ahead of the civic and panchayat elections. While the Congress is trying to corner the Central Government over its alleged apathy towards hill states, the BJP is expected to counter the charge by highlighting funds given under existing Central schemes.

State suffered Rs 5,000- crore losses

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had recently announced the package, yet not one instalment had reached the state treasury. The state has faced losses to the tune of over Rs 5,000 crore during this monsoon season but the Central Government has not released even a penny. This exposes the double standards of BJP leaders. Kewal Singh Pathania, Shahpur MLA