CM demands disaster relief funds from Shah

Kullu: Himachal Pradesh chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday called on Union home minister Amit Shah in New Delhi and urged him for speedy release of funds pending with the ministry for effective management of disasters in the state.
He requested for releasing Rs 9,042 crore as financial assistance under post-disaster assessment done by the central team after the state witnessed one of its worst natural disasters during last year’s monsoon.
He said that the matter was still pending with the ministry and added that the state requires the fund urgently given that the monsoon has already started this year. He also informed that Rs 61.07 crore, under the State Disaster Response Fund for financial year 2019-20 as per the recommendation of 14th Finance Commission, was due to the state.
The chief minister apprised the minister that as per recommendation of 15th Finance Commission, Himachal was entitled to Rs 200 crore for financial years 2021-26 for effective management of landslides and earthquakes in hill states. He also requested for speedy release of pending 60.10 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
He also requested to accord speedy approval to a detailed project worth Rs 125.84 crore submitted to the ministry under National Disaster Mitigation Fund.
The chief minister underlined the necessity of setting up of NDRF campuses in the state and urged for starting construction work of the campuses at Mandi, Rampur and Nalagarh. He also demanded appropriate action on unauthorised encroachment on state govt’s land in the inter-state boundary between Lahaul-Spiti and Ladakh at Sarchu and Shinkula.