Special relief package for disaster-hit people enhanced by 25 times: Deputy CM

Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said the state government had announced a special relief and rehabilitation package for disaster-affected people, which had been enhanced 25 times.

Agnihotri was speaking at the Independence Day function, held here on Friday. He said the state had suffered largescale damage during the monsoons.

“In 2023, the state witnessed one of the worst natural disasters but, despite limited resources, the state government provided relief packages to the people. This year too, the state has witnessed immense loss of life and property as a result of natural disasters triggered by heavy rainfall and state government is providing relief packages to the people,” he said.

Expressing concern over the rising drug menace in the state, Agnihotri said that a special task force has been constituted for curbing drug menace in the state and PIT NDPS Act is being strictly enforced in the state.

He further said that the statue of former six-time Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh, that has been installed at the Ridge, will be inaugurated soon.

On the occasion, the minister also flagged off a mega dog vaccination drive in Shimla, which will continue till August 29. Under this drive, over 4,000 dogs across all the 34 wards under the Shimla Municipal Corporation will be vaccinated.