Himachal Assembly to urge Centre to declare rain damages as national disaster

The Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha today moved a resolution declaring the havoc wreaked by incessant monsoons in various parts of Himachal Pradesh as a national disaster.

Moving the resolution under Rule 102, Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said there was no doubt that the entire state had suffered massive devastation. "However, I do not feel the Assembly can be deferred as many important matters have to be taken up, besides some Bills have to be passed.  Under Rule 102, I move a resolution urging the Centre to declare the rain disaster in Himachal  as a national disaster in which the entire House can participate, he said.

Speaker Kuldeep Pathnia said the resolution moved by the Parliamentary Affairs Minister was important, urgent and in the state interest so it would be debated upon by both treasury and opposition members. "I am admitting the resolution for debate after relaxing the mandatory three days’ notice period for debate under Rule 102," he said.

Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur said the Opposition would support the resolution as the entire state had been severely affected and we all are equally concerned that timely help should reach the affected people and restoration work should be quick and effective. "Seeing the situation, there is an urgent need to requisition AIF helicopters to rescue people, especially those facing medical problems in Lahaul Spiti as it will take very long to restore road connectivity," he said.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri informed the House that one helicopter has been requisitioned for Lahaul Spiti and four for Chamba. "As and when there is a window subject to weather conditions, evacuation will be undertaken of the stranded people," he said.

Legislators from both the ruling party and the Opposition will now debate on the rain disaster situation in the state to urge the Centre to declare the rain disaster as a national disaster.