Himachal became witness to Congress’s helplessness in the disaster: Anurag Thakur
Union Minister for Information & Broadcasting and Youth and Sports Affairs, Shri Anurag Singh Thakur today said that Himachal Pradesh witnessed the ineffectiveness of the Congress government very closely during the natural disaster last year. Leaving aside the concern for Devbhoomi in the disaster, the Congress government remained entangled in monkey business due to its petty politics. Special love for Himachal not only saved the people of Himachal from the worst disaster in decades but also ensured their rehabilitation, also provided immediate assistance of ₹ 1762 crore but the Congress leaders remained idle. In the disaster, I covered 2700 km including 16,206 houses. Roads were approved from the Centre, Congress leaders should tell, what was the entire state government doing at that time when Modi ji was sending aid after aid from the Center to Himachal?
Shri Anurag Thakur said, “Last year Devbhoomi Himachal witnessed the ferocity of nature along with the incompetence of Congress. It was so horrifying that it affected every district of Himachal as a result of which many of us had to bear the brunt of losing our near and dear ones. Even in such difficult times of disaster, Congress leaders remained idle and left the state to sob. It is good for Modi ji who always considered Himachal as his second home and immediately gave ₹1762 for Himachal. Gave crores but Congress remained busy in distribution of funds and nepotism.
Speaking further, Shri Anurag Thakur said, “If the Congress leaders have forgotten, then I would like to remind them again that during the disaster in Himachal, I along with the Union Rural Development Minister Shri Giriraj Singh ji three times had organized a housing scheme of 16,206 thousand houses for the state. 2700 km to be built under and at a cost of Rs 2373 crore. Got the roads approved under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana. As far as money is concerned, on the instructions of respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Central Government gave ₹ 180 – 180 crore in the first two installments, then gave about ₹ 400 crore only for the repair of roads. After this, ₹189 crore was sent separately. On August 20, another ₹ 200 crore was sent and on December 12, about ₹ 633 crore was sent, that is, a total financial assistance of ₹ 1782 crore was sent to Himachal by the Central Government. Under the Mahatma Gandhi NREGA scheme, approximately Rs 434 crore has been given to the Himachal Pradesh state government since July by the Centre.
Shri Anurag Thakur said, “It has been almost 10 months since the disaster but the victims are still angry over not getting the necessary help from the state government. Some Congress leaders have tried to mislead the people by blaming it on the central government. Tried but failed miserably. The truth is that the Congress government of Himachal Pradesh had not made any preparations to deal with the disaster. Apart from this, the state government also delayed a lot in providing relief to the disaster affected people. There is a lot of anger against Congress leaders in the entire state.”
Shri Anurag Thakur further said, “In sharp contrast to the inaction of the state government, respected Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji always gave priority to Himachal and considered it as his second home. At the time of disaster, he himself talked to the Chief Minister and took stock of the situation and took all necessary steps.” Help ensured. 13 teams of NDRF were deployed with rescue boats and other necessary equipment. Army’s 1 Para SF and 01 column of 205 Army Aviation Squadron were also deployed at Paonta Sahib for evacuation of civilians. Along with this, 02 MI-17V helicopters of the Indian Air Force were also deployed for rescue operations, due to which thousands of lives could be saved in time. Help was also provided through National Forensic Science University. I myself, along with BJP National President Respected Shri JP Nadda ji, stayed in the disaster affected areas of Himachal for several days and after touring the entire area extensively, ensured relief and rescue operations till the last victim. After asking for a time bound report from the Patwaris, the DC was instructed to release the money immediately. If anyone’s house was in danger, we gave money to install a security wall there and also held Disha Committee meetings regularly so that there was no shortage in relief and rescue work.
Shri Anurag Thakur further said, “A major disaster was averted due to the ‘Swa Channelization’ done during the BJP rule. The Swa river was once called the ‘River of Sorrow’. There was a loss of crores of rupees due to floods here. 1988 Many bridges were washed away due to rains and floods. This time, due to channelization, lives and property also increased. While each and every worker of the Bharatiya Janata Party was sacrificing his/her self for social service, the people of Congress were busy in petty politics. Himachali people will never forget that when the people needed relief, the state government increased the VAT by Rs. 3. Had increased.
