State yet to receive Rs 1,500-crore Central relief, says Sukhu

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today said that the state government was yet to receive the Rs 1,500 crore assistance announced by Prime Minster Narendra Modi following an aerial survey of the disaster-affected areas of the state.

“People are in a lot of pain and are facing several issues. If the relief comes a year or two later, it loses its relevance. People need the relief now,” he said while interacting with mediapersons after returning from London, where he had gone on a personal visit.

He said that regardless of the Central Government’s assistance, the state government would help the affected people. “We will give Rs 7 lakh to those who have lost their houses and one lakh in the case of partially-damaged houses. People, who have lost land, livestock and orchards, will also get assistance,” he added.

The Chief Minister said that the state government had not sought one-time settlement (OTS) in a case related to Kangra Cooperative Bank. “The OTS is done with the approval of the RBI. Considering what was happening in the bank for the past seven or eight years, we had suspended its entire Board of Directors. Now, the Enforcement Directorate is looking into the matter and the truth will come out soon,” he added.

As for the BJP raising a question mark on his London visit, Sukhu said that he had to carry out his duties as father, too. “I had to accompany my daughter to London who has gone there for higher studies,” he added. Not even one penny was spent from the government account on his trip, he claimed. — TNS