Himachal CM Sukhvinder Sukhu urges Amit Shah for Rs 9,042 cr as per post-disaster assessment

Shimla, July 17

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today urged Union Home Minister Amit Shah to release Rs 9,042 crore to Himachal as per the Post-Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) done by a Central team of large scale damage caused due to unprecedented heavy rains last year.

Sukhu called on Shah in New Delhi and apprised him about the vulnerability of the state to natural disasters. He urged the Union Home Minister for the speedy release of funds pending with his ministry for the effective management of disasters. He said that the release of PDNA funds was still pending with the Union Home Ministry and the state urgently required this money for various works.

Sukhu pointed out that Rs 61.07 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for financial year 2019-20, as per the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission, was still pending. He apprised the Union Minister that as per the recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission, Himachal was entitled to Rs 200 crore for financial years 2021 to 2026 for the effective management of landslides and earthquakes. He also requested Shah for the speedy release of pending Rs 60.10 crore under the NDRF.

The Chief Minister urged Shah to accord approval to a detailed project proposal of Rs 125.84 crore submitted to the Union Home Ministry under the National Disaster Mitigation Fund.

Sukhu underlined the necessity of setting up of NDRF units in the state and urged Shah for starting the construction work of its premises at Mandi, Rampur and Nalagarh. He also demanded appropriate action on unauthorised possession/encroachment on state government’s land on the inter-state boundary at Sarchu and Shinku La between Lahaul and Spiti and Ladakh.