Jai Ram reviews preparations, expresses concern over government’s disaster relief efforts

Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur today arrived in Dharamsala to review preparations for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s scheduled visit to Kangra and expressed concern over the state government’s handling of the recent disaster relief efforts.

Thakur, while speaking with journalists, expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister for standing by the people of Himachal during these difficult times. “We are thankful to the Prime Minister for his scheduled visit to disaster-hit areas of the state and sending the NDRF, Army and Indian Air Force teams for relief and rescue operations,” he added.

He highlighted widespread devastation caused by heavy rain during the ongoing monsoon season. “Repeated incidents of cloudburst, landslide and torrential rain have severely impacted lives, infrastructure and the state’s economy,” he added and cited the death of 42 persons in the rain disaster in Mandi district on June 30.

He emphasised the urgent need for scientific disaster management planning and said that the Union Home Ministry had formed multi-sectoral teams to study the causes and responses to such calamities. He raised the major concern of the collapse of the horticulture and agriculture economy of the state. “Apple produce and vegetables worth crores of rupees are rotting due to blocked roads. Growers are helpless and their losses are increasing,” he added. He urged the state government to prioritise road restoration to save the remaining produce and livelihood of thousands of people.

Thakur accused the Congress government of apathy and alleged that only Rs 300 crore of the Rs 5,150 crore grants received under various heads from the Central Government for disaster relief had been spent so far. “The Chief Minister must explain where the balance money is. Its immediate disbursal is critical for supporting the affected families and reviving the economy,” he added.

He criticised the state government for its slow response and said, “Where people needed urgent relief on a war footing, the government is relying on community donations. Roads that could’ve opened in days remained closed for weeks.” Thakur called on the state government to rise above petty politics and act decisively for the people’s welfare.