Central Govt’s 2006 Cr disaster aid too little and too late : Naresh Chauhan
Naresh Chauhan, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister, today strongly criticized the Central Government’s announcement of Rs. 2,006 crore as disaster aid for Himachal Pradesh. He called it both ‘too little and too late’. He said that it is a matter of grave concern that against the state’s meticulously prepared Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA), which estimated the losses of about Rs. 10,000 crore, the Centre has sanctioned a paltry sum, of which merely Rs. 1,500 crore is the actual central share the remaining being the contribution of the state government.
He said that such a small and symbolic response is a clear betrayal of the hopes and real needs of the people of Himachal Pradesh, who faced severe damage due to an unusually big natural disaster. Even after many requests and high-level meetings by the state government, the Central Government has not shown urgency and compassion needed in this humanitarian crisis and nor the MPs of Himachal Pradesh pursued the urgency in a befitting manner.
Naresh Chauhan said that while the Centre procrastinated, the Himachal Pradesh Government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, proactively unveiled a Rs. 4,500 crore disaster relief and rehabilitation package from its own resources. This reflects the state government’s commitment to its people and its unwavering resolve to rebuild lives and infrastructure without waiting for political favours even after having limited resources.
He said that the aid has come almost one and a half years after the disaster, which raises serious questions about the Centre’s intentions and its unfair attitude towards states not ruled by the BJP. He added that the Central Government is treating Himachal like an orphaned state, just because the people chose a Congress government. This kind of politically driven neglect does not suit a democratic country and is very unfair to the people who are still trying to rebuild their lives.
The Central Government must adopt a genuine and unbiased approach towards Himachal Pradesh and its people. Disaster relief cannot and should not be dictated by political affiliations. The people of Himachal Pradesh deserve respect, fairness and timely support not token gestures and delayed favours. The Union must rise above partisan politics and stand by Himachal in both letter and spirit and ensure that justice is not denied to those who have already suffered so much.
He further said that BJP’s recent conduct in Paonta Sahib is highly irresponsible and condemnable. By raising provocative slogans during their protest, the BJP has deeply hurt the sentiments of the community. Such slogans are not only insensitive but are clearly aimed at provoking communal disharmony in an otherwise peaceful region.
It is evident that BJP leaders in Himachal are deliberately making a hue and cry over the petty issues and unnecessarily flaring up the matter in an attempt to destabilize the harmony and social fabric of the state. They are misguiding the centre government instead of advocating for the genuine needs of the state. This is nothing but a desperate attempt to divert public attention from their failures and to exploit religious sentiments for political gain.
