Fire victims to receive assistance under disaster relief package: Himachal CM

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the Himachal Pradesh government will provide financial assistance under a special disaster relief package to all families who have lost their homes in fire incidents.

He informed that an important decision regarding this was taken in the recent Cabinet meeting.

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Intervening during a discussion on the adjournment motion brought by the opposition BJP on Wednesday, on the first day of the Winter Session of the State Legislative Assembly, in response to issues raised by Banjar MLA Surender Shourie, the Chief Minister gave this assurance. He said that families affected by the fire incident in Jhaniyar village of Gushaini in the Tirthan Valley, Banjar constituency, will also be provided relief under the same package.

The Chief Minister said that each family that lost its home in the Jhaniyar fire incident will receive Rs 7 lakh for reconstruction, along with an additional Rs 1 lakh for purchasing household items.

Leader of the Opposition and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, participating in the discussion on the adjournment motion brought by the BJP over the postponement of Panchayati Raj elections in the Assembly, said the government must have the courage to accept election results.

He remarked that the present administration appears more attached to disorder than governance and questioned how long the elections would continue to be delayed.

Thakur said that even during the severe Covid crisis, the then BJP government had conducted Panchayati Raj elections, but the present government is attempting to postpone them to avoid an anticipated defeat.
He accused the government of dishonouring the Constitution on Constitution Day itself by disregarding the constitutional provisions that mandate timely elections for Panchayati Raj institutions.

He said employees and pensioners across the state were protesting, contractors were not receiving payments, and the government was trying to run away from elections amid this unrest.

Thakur further compared the present situation to the Emergency of 1975, claiming that similar attempts were once again being made to delay elections.

He also pointed out contradictions in ministerial statements. While the government claims that roads remain blocked due to disaster damage, it simultaneously boasts that apples and other crops are reaching mandis on time. He noted that the Public Works Minister stated only 12 roads were closed, raising questions about which version was accurate.

He also criticised the decision of Hamirpur’s Deputy Commissioner to write to the Election Commission despite the limited disaster impact in the district, while the government was preparing to celebrate in Mandi, the region worst affected.

Thakur said public confidence in the government had eroded and that a state of complete disorder prevailed. In a democracy, he said, governments should face the people’s verdict rather than attempt to evade it.
Elections cannot be postponed indefinitely, he added, urging the government to hold polls in time. He also criticised the decision to extend the Shimla Mayor’s tenure from two and a half years to five years.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, responding to issues raised by Leader of the Opposition Jairam Thakur, said that Panchayati Raj Institution elections will be conducted strictly within the framework of the law and on time. He urged the opposition to remain assured and prepare for the elections without any doubt.

The Chief Minister accused the Leader of the Opposition of presenting incorrect facts and reminded that the Shimla Municipal Corporation elections had been delayed by nine months during the BJP government.