CM urges Union Home Minister to visit disaster-hit areas of Himachal

SHIMLA 17 July, 2025

State Govt. to explore all legal aspects of axing apple trees issue: CM

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while interacting with media persons here today said that the state government would soon announce a special relief package for the disaster affected families, after due consultation with the Cabinet.
He said that the state government has limited resources and it was not possible to compensate for the damages without liberal help from the Union government. Therefore, the State has sought for a special relief package from the Union government to support the rehabilitation of the families, who have lost their homes, agricultural land and livelihood. He said, “Monsoon has just begun and there is a long remaining span of the season. So we must remain vigilant throughout its course.”
He added that discussions were also held with Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda, who has assured to consider all the demands sympathetically made by the State. He said, “We do not want any credit and the state government is ready to meet with anyone under his leadership for the welfare of disaster-hit people.
Sh. Sukhu said that during his New Delhi visit, he has taken up several key issues with the Union Ministers, including a request to allow the allotment of five bighas land under FRA, to rehabilitate the affected families suitably. He said that he has also urged the Union Home Minister Amit Shah to visit the disaster affected areas to personally assess the situation. He said, “The Union Home Minister has assured him to visit the affected areas shortly.”
In a response to a question, the Chief Minister said the state government is of the view that axing fruit laden apple trees is inappropriate and the High Court shall give ample time to the state government for auctioning the apple produces. He said that he will call a meeting with the Horticulture Minister and other senior officers in this regard to explore the legal aspects of this issue.
Sh. Sukhu said that he has also met Union Surface and Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari and has demanded to expedite the critical infrastructure projects, including Bhubhu Jot tunnel project to benefit the people of the State. He said, “I also discussed with him the issue of collapsed building at Dhalli and he has promised to compensate the affected family suitably.” He said that the state government has urged the Ministry to focus on tunneling for constructing Shimla-Shalaghat package of Shimla-Mataur four lane, to faster implementation of the Nalagarh-Pinjore road and Nalagarh-Gara Maur project. He said that he has also asked to extend the Dhalli-Sainj four lane upto Rampur.
The Chief Minister said that he has also met Chairman 16th Finance Commission Arvind Panagariya and urged the Commission to support the State in its recommendations keeping in view the conditions of the State.