₹7 Lakh Disaster Relief Package: ₹4.5 Lakh Provided by Centre, Questions Raised on State’s Contribution

Mandi, August 17: Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur has questioned the state government’s role in providing disaster relief, stating that of the ₹7 lakh package being given to affected families, ₹4.5 lakh is actually being funded by the central government. He asked what the state’s real contribution is and to what extent it stands with the victims. Thakur made these remarks on Saturday during his visit to the Seraj Assembly constituency.

He explained that under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, the Centre has sanctioned 93,000 houses for Himachal, with ₹1.5 lakh from this scheme included in the ₹7 lakh package. In addition, another ₹1.5 lakh comes separately from central disaster relief funds, while another ₹1.5 lakh is provided through the Ministry of Labour. Thus, according to Thakur, a total of ₹4.5 lakh of central assistance is being projected as part of the state’s relief package.

Thakur urged Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu not to mislead the public in the name of the relief package. Instead, he said, the government should understand the ground realities, address people’s concerns with transparency, and ensure timely support. He added that the issue will be raised in the upcoming Assembly session.

Highlighting the dire situation of affected families, Thakur noted that many houses have become completely dilapidated and unsafe, posing a serious risk even to enter. Yet, he alleged, the administration has failed to declare these houses as fully damaged, which is preventing victims from receiving full compensation or starting reconstruction.

He further said that families who narrowly escaped with their lives during the disaster are now falling victim to administrative apathy and government inaction. The government, he stressed, must go beyond announcements and ensure genuine relief reaches those in need.