“Unfortunate that Opposition did not support relief package”: Himachal Pradesh Tourism Chief RS Bali

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], October 5 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Tourism Chief RS Bali has said that after the Union government failed to help the disaster-hit state, the state government has come up with a special relief package for those who have been hit by the rain and flood disaster in the state.

RS Bali while addressing a press conference in Shimla said, “It was unfortunate that the opposition did not support the resolution of the government in the state assembly where the state government demanded a relief of 12000 Crore rupees from the Union government. This was an issue where one had to transcend political affiliations. It was a matter of the welfare of the people of Himachal Pradesh. It was a “black day” for the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha when the BJP MLAs did not support the special package demanded from the Central government.”

The chairperson of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) said that the state government had earnestly implored the central government to grant Himachal Pradesh a special relief package to facilitate the reconstruction of the state.

Bali also took the opportunity to express his disappointment with the opposition BJP MLAs for their lack of support for the state government’s plea for a special relief package from the centre.

“Our Chief Minister had not rested for a moment during the onslaught of landslides and floods, visiting affected areas and working relentlessly day and night for the betterment of Himachal Pradesh. Our state had never faced such a catastrophic disaster in its history as it had witnessed this year,” RS Bali added.

“The government will allocate land to individuals who do not possess any land and lack the financial means to purchase it. Additionally, the government will extend support to individuals whose loans were not overdue before June 24th by rescheduling their loan repayments. This measure will provide relief to those affected during the disaster between July 7, 2023, and September 30, 2023. During the recent disasters, Himachal Pradesh had set an example and the state is now in the process of healing and warmly welcoming tourists,” Bali added further.

In the recent past since June 24 in Himachal Pradesh over 13,000 houses have been destroyed, and 504 people have lost their lives due to flash floods, cloud bursts, and landslides in the state.