Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah at New Delhi today and apprised him about the vulnerability of state to natural disasters and urged for speedy release of funds pending with the ministry for effective management of disasters. 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, triggered due to excessive rain resulting in flash floods and landslides.
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 Union 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 NDRF.
He also requested to accord speedy approval to a detailed project worth Rs. 125.84 crore submitted to the Union 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 possession/encroachment on state government's land in the inter-state boundary between Lahaul Spiti and Ladakh at Sarchu and Shinkula. Principal Secretary Finance Devesh Kumar, Chief Minister's Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, Resident Commissioner Meera Mohanty accompanied the Chief Minister.