Jairam Thakur Slams State Government Over Removal of Disaster Act, Slow Restoration Works

Shimla, March 5: Former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jairam Thakur has strongly criticized the state government over its decision to withdraw the Disaster Act after six months, alleging that rehabilitation and restoration work in many affected areas of Himachal Pradesh remains incomplete.

In a press statement issued from Shimla, Thakur questioned the government’s decision to lift the disaster provisions, asking whether relief, reconstruction, and rehabilitation work had actually been completed on the ground. He claimed that the government celebrated the withdrawal of the Act instead of focusing on relief measures for disaster-hit families.

The Leader of Opposition alleged that many roads across the state are still blocked by debris and several bus routes have remained suspended for months, causing difficulties for the public. He further stated that several bridges damaged during the disaster have only been temporarily restored for light vehicles, while permanent reconstruction for heavy transport has not been completed.

Thakur also raised concerns over drinking water and electricity infrastructure, claiming that many rural areas continue to face water shortages and that damaged electricity poles and transformers in affected regions have yet to be fully replaced.

Accusing the government of misusing the disaster provisions, he alleged that the Act was used to delay local body elections and slow down development activities. He also questioned how much relief assistance has actually reached the affected people and what visible impact it has made on the ground.

Thakur said the people of the state are watching the situation closely and would respond to what he termed administrative inaction and delays in development and rehabilitation works.