Himachal CM Sukhu meets Amit Shah, requests release of Rs 9,042 crore under post-disaster assessment

New Delhi [India], July 17 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi today and apprised him about the vulnerability of the state to natural disasters and urged for speedy release of funds pending with the ministry for effective management of disasters.

The Chief Minister requested to release Rs 9,042 crore as financial assistance under post-disaster assessment done by the central team after the state witnessed one of its worst natural disasters during last year’s monsoon, triggered due to excessive rain resulting in flash floods and landslides.

He further said that the matter was still pending with the ministry and added that the state requires the fund urgently given that the monsoon has already started this year. He also informed that Rs 61.07 crore, under the State Disaster Response Fund for the financial year 2019-20 as per the recommendation of the 14th Finance Commission, was due to the state.

The Chief Minister apprised the Union Home Minister that as per the recommendation of the 15th Finance Commission, Himachal Pradesh was entitled to Rs 200 crore for financial years 2021-26 for effective management of landslides and earthquakes in hill states. He also requested a speedy release of the pending Rs 60.10 crore under the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF).

He also requested speedy approval for a detailed project worth Rs 125.84 crore submitted to the Union Ministry under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund.

The Chief Minister also underlined the necessity of setting up the NDRF campuses in the state and urged for initiating construction work of the campuses at Mandi, Rampur and Nalagarh. He also demanded appropriate action on unauthorised possession/encroachment on the state government’s land in the inter-state boundary between Lahaul Spiti and Ladakh at Sarchu and Shinkula.