Every state has the right to get Central assistance: Himachal Deputy CM

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri today said that in a federal structure, it was the right of every state to get financial help from the Central Government.

Agnihotri, while speaking in the Vidhan Sabha during a debate on the rain disaster, said that many people had pointed towards a faulty development model in Seraj after logs were seen floating in floodwaters but we shot down such criticism. He added that any area could face a disaster, so it was wrong to do politics during such times.

He said, “The Leader of the Opposition and the BJP must get special funds from the Central Government, as there is an impression that in the past, you went to New Delhi to stall the financial help to be given to the state but now you are seeking an area-specific relief for Seraj. However, we have no problem even to this.” He added that the Jal Shakti Department alone had suffered Rs 300 crore losses during the ongoing monsoon season so far.

Dharampur MLA Chandershekhar said that no mining, road construction, tunnelling or experimental work, which could disturb the ecology of the state, should be permitted without a no objection certificate (NOC) from the local authorities. “It is high time that we take note of climate change, global warming and degrading activities and not let them go unnoticed, else Himachal will become even more vulnerable,” he added.

MLAs Anil Sharma (Mandi Sadar), Kewal Singh Pathania (Shahpur), Vinod Kumar (Nachan), Suresh Kumar (Bhoranj) and Hans Raj (Churah) took part in the debate.

The House held a debate under Rule 67 by adjourning all business listed for the opening day. Though a debate on disaster was listed on the business list under Rule 130, moved by Congress legislators, but the Opposition insisted on holding a debate under Rule 67. Speaker Kuldeep Pathania finally allowed the debate under Rule 67. — TNS