Special package expected from PM’s upcoming visit to Himachal

KS Tomar

Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s anticipated visit to the flood and heavy rain-stricken areas of Himachal Pradesh holds significant promise for the devastated victims.

With the state suffering extensive damages exceeding Rs 1,050 crore and the tragic loss of nearly 130 lives, the potential announcement of a special package by the PM could serve as the much-needed lifeline for the cash-strapped state.

The PM initially planned to visit HP last week, but the trip was postponed due to inclement weather. A new date for the visit is expected soon in consultation with the state government. Last year, due to pressing engagements in Delhi, Modi was unable to visit the state despite the state experiencing its worst natural disaster in history. The catastrophe resulted in damages amounting to approximately Rs12,000 crore and claimed the lives of 550 persons.

In an intriguing twist, Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman omitted any mention of a special package for Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim during her budget presentation, while allocating Rs11,500 crore to Bihar for flood mitigation efforts. This decision has raised eyebrows, with some experts suggesting it may have been influenced by the political necessities of the NDA government, which survives on the crutches of Nitish Kumar’s JD(U) and Chandrababu Naidu’s Telugu Desam Party.

Despite these challenges, optimism prevails in HP. The state’s Congress government is clinging to the hope that the PM, who has often referred to himself as the son of the state will come to its rescue with a substantial financial package — something that failed to materialise last year. In response to the perceived lack of Central support, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu allocated Rs 650 crore in the 2024-25 budget to provide immediate financial assistance to victims and to fund rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas.

Economic experts, however, feel that such allocation might have impacted capital expenditures, as the funds were diverted from the regular budget. Adding to the complexity of the situation, top BJP leaders, including national president JP Nadda, former Information and Broadcasting Minister, Anurag Thakur, state party president Rajeev Bindal, and opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur, have said that the Central government has been generous by releasing the state’s shares of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) in advance.

These leaders often cite the Central Government’s assistance of over Rs 1,704 crore, while accusing the Sukhu government of mismanagement and underutilisation of these funds. In stark contrast, former CM Shanta Kumar highlighted the need for the Central Government’s immediate intervention to provide a special package. He also praised the Congress government for its handling of the natural disaster, particularly in rescuing many stranded tourists — a stance that irritated state BJP leaders.

CM Sukhu has already said that advance funds for central projects and schemes cannot be equated with a special package. Now, the people are eagerly awaiting the package, especially given that the Union Finance Minister did not specify an exact amount for the state, unlike Bihar, which was favoured in the current context.

Political analysts note that the Himachal Government is grappling with a severe financial crisis, forcing it to implement austerity measures to mobilise resources.

Was unable to visit state last year

Last year, due to pressing engagements, PM Narendra Modi was unable to visit the state despite the state experiencing its worst natural disaster in history. The catastrophe resulted in damages amounting to nearly Rs12,000 crore and took 550 lives. In response to the perceived lack of Central support, CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu allocated Rs 650 crore in the 2024-25 budget to provide immediate financial aid to victims and to fund rehabilitation efforts in the affected areas.

— The writer is a political analyst and senior journalist based in Shimla