'Declare Himachal Calamity A Natural Disaster': Congress Urges Centre To Announce Rs 10,000-Crore Package

Congress urges Rs 10,000-cr relief for Himachal's rain crisis, seeks "national disaster" status. Leader Rajeev Shukla appeals for MPs' aid through MP Local Area Development Fund.

A section of the Chandigarh-Manali highway is seen damaged after a landslide, near Mandi. (Image used for representational purposes only.)

The Congress demanded on Wednesday (August 23) that the central government announce a Rs 10,000 crore special package for Himachal Pradesh and declare the rain-related devastation there a "national disaster". Rajeev Shukla, Congress leader, and Himachal Pradesh in-charge, also urged Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajya Sabha Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar to allow all MPs in both Houses of Parliament to provide relief to the hill state through the MP Local Area Development Fund. 

He also described the state's crisis as unprecedented, claiming that the northern state is not receiving the necessary national attention because it has never experienced such devastation in its history.

Shukla stressed that the current crisis in Himachal Pradesh is unprecedented, as the state has never experienced such severe damage in its history. "The state has suffered a Rs 13,000 crore loss. Highways have been destroyed. Heavy rainfall has harmed the entire Himachal region, both upper and lower reaches," Shukla was quoted as saying by news agency PTI.

The region has suffered substantial damage, including the destruction of highways and extensive disruption across upper and lower reaches, as per the PTI report. Shukla noted that the rains struck Himachal Pradesh in multiple waves: from July 7 to 15, then again from August 10 to 14, and now in the present period. 

"We demand that the central government declare the devastation caused by heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh a national calamity and provide it with a special package similar to that provided to Uttarakhand. We are asking for a package worth Rs 10,000 crore. With the Rs 200 crore announced so far by the Centre, nothing will happen," the Congress leader said.

Heavy rain, landslides & consequent disasters have caused significant damage to lives, properties & infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh. I appealed the Central Govt. to declare it a national disaster & to provide central assistance to the State. (1/2) @SukhuSukhvinder pic.twitter.com/Sq7MrTnrLc

— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) August 23, 2023

"I urge both the Lok Sabha Speaker and the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha to allow MPs to donate to the Himachal Pradesh government from their MP Development Fund," he said.

While several states have already offered assistance, Shukla pleaded with Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Karnataka, Haryana, and other states to help Himachal Pradesh recover. Two central teams assessed the damage, emphasising the importance of immediate action.

The Congress leader urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah to provide Himachal Pradesh with the necessary assistance. He mentioned that Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu has already met with the central leadership to discuss the pressing issue.