Congress Government Claims Rs 4950 Crore Delayed by BJP Leaders

Shimla Nov 03 – Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri and Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi have accused Himachal Pradesh’s BJP leaders of preventing the state from receiving Rs 4950 crore in natural disaster claims from the Central Government. In a press statement, they criticized the State BJP for obstructing the release of this amount, blaming the party for not prioritizing relief and rehabilitation efforts.

The State Government had submitted an initial claim of Rs 6746 crore due to disaster losses to the Government of India (GoI) on August 10, 2023. A revised claim note of Rs 9900 crore was sent on October 10, 2023. The Deputy Chief Minister and Revenue Minister emphasized that Rs 4950 crore, which is 50% of the total claim, is the state’s rightful share. They called for the immediate release of this amount to expedite rehabilitation and reconstruction work.

Despite three visits from Central Government teams to assess flood and heavy rain damage, not a single penny has been released to the state so far. The State Government’s claim is its right, and political considerations should not interfere with its release, they said. The GoI has not declared the disaster in Himachal as a ‘National Disaster’ nor provided a special relief package. The people affected by the disaster are no longer seeking a special relief package but rather the Rs 4950 crore owed to the state.

The BJP leaders in Himachal Pradesh are accused of hindering the release of these funds. The state government is urged to stop collecting water cess from power companies, as the Central Government has issued letters regarding this matter. The BJP leaders are criticized for prioritizing politics over the state’s interests during this natural calamity. The Union government’s delay in releasing the state’s rightful claims is attributed to the manipulation and connivance of state BJP leaders. The people of the state are determined to hold BJP accountable for politicizing the disaster, and it is clear that their focus is on politics rather than the welfare of the people affected by the disaster.