Rs 31 crore assistance given to 3,800 disaster-hit in Mandi district

Mandi, October 23

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today distributed Rs 31 crore financial assistance as the first instalment in the first phase to 3,800 disaster-affected families of Mandi district under the ‘rehabilitation scheme’.

Under the special relief package, he provided Rs 3 lakh each as the first instalment for reconstruction of completely damaged houses and the entire amount of compensation to other affected people.

Addressing the audience, the Chief Minister said that Himachal had suffered huge losses due to torrential rains, landslides and floods during the monsoon season this year.

“Every section of society had come forward to tackle this challenge and all my Cabinet colleagues, MLAs and all public representatives showed solidarity to work in unison to overcome this disastrous situation,” he remarked. The Chief Minister said the state had suffered over a loss of Rs 12,000 crore due to the disaster.

“To help the disaster-affected people, the state government has created an Aapda Rahat Kosh in which a historic Rs 230 crore have been contributed by the various organisations and individuals. It reflects the humanitarian approach of the people of the state. Even children donated towards Aapda Rahat Kosh,” the CM said.

He said the state government had so far submitted claims worth Rs 10,000 crore to the Central Government and the process of submitting remaining claims worth Rs 2,000 crore is underway.

“The state government has enhanced compensation in case of a completely damaged house to Rs 7 lakh from Rs 1.30 lakh. Apart from this, the state government will provide free electricity and water connection and cement on Rs 280 per bag on government rates for construction of houses. The relief given in case of partial damage to houses has been increased to Rs 1 lakh under the Special Relief Package,” he added.

“Compensation given for damage to shops and dhabas has been increased from Rs 25,000 to Rs 1 lakh. The state government has also increased compensation being given for the loss of cow shed from Rs 3,000 to Rs 50,000. The state government has enhanced the amount of Rs 2,500 being given to tenants for the loss of their belongings to Rs 50,000,” he said.

Sukhu said: “The compensation amount given for the loss of agricultural and horticulture land has been increased from Rs 3,615 per bigha to Rs 10,000 per bigha. The amount given for the damage to crops has been enhanced eight times from Rs 500 per bigha to Rs 4,000. The financial assistance given for removing silt from agricultural and horticultural land has been increased from Rs 1,384.61 per bigha to Rs 5,000. This special package will be effective from June 24 to September 30 this year.”

He said that complete compensation amount would be given to every affected person and its verification would also be done.

BJP, Centre fail to stand up for people: CM

• Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday lambasted the BJP over the disaster issue in Himachal. He said at the time of disaster, the BJP leadership of Himachal and the Centre failed to stand with the people of the state
• Targeting the Leader of Opposition and former CM Jai Ram Thakur on his home turf in Mandi, the CM said: “Jai Ram Thakur has no courage to demand special relief package for the flood-affected Himachal from the PM and the Home Minister”