Various delegations from the Seraj Assembly Constituency of Mandi district met Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today at his official residence 'Oak Over'. The delegations, led by President, Seraj Congress Block Congress Jagdish Reddy held detailed discussions on various development-related issues concerning the region.
The delegation also invited the Chief Minister to visit the Seraj Assembly Constituency. The Chief Minister said that the state government was committed to ensuring balanced and equitable development across all regions of Himachal Pradesh. He announced financial assistance for the maintenance and strengthening of several roads in the Seraj Assembly Constituency.
These include Rs. 10 lakh for the Nauna-Chhalaila-Vinidhar road, Rs. 20 lakh for the Balichowki-Khloa-Sharsh road, Rs. 10 lakh for the Nauna-Bharari road, Rs. 10 lakh for the Khanethi-Khoohan road and Rs. 10 lakh for the Hanogi-Shaloi-Chhamar road. Sh. Sukhu said that owing to the sustained efforts of the state government, financial assistance of Rs. 137.40 crore has been approved for widening the Chail Chowk-Janjehli road.
In view of the extensive damage caused during the disaster and with the objective of further strengthening connectivity in Mandi district, the state government prioritized this 83 kilometre long road project and submitted it under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund. The completion of this project would provide momentum to the social and economic development of the region.
He said that the Seraj Assembly Constituency had suffered significant damage during the disaster and he personally visited the affected areas to assess the situation. The government extended maximum possible assistance to the disaster-affected families.
He further stated that for the first time in the country, the government had substantially enhanced disaster relief assistance from its own resources. The Chief Minister said that the state government had decided to provide unprecedented support to disaster-affected families through a special relief package.
Under this package, compensation for fully damaged houses has been increased from Rs. 1.30 lakh to Rs. 7 lakh. Including other forms of assistance, affected families are being provided financial support of up to Rs. 8 lakh.
Likewise, the compensation for the loss of household belongings had been increased from Rs. 2,500 to one lakh for homeowners and Rs. 50,000 for tenants. Financial assistance of one lakh rupees has also been fixed for partially damaged kutcha and pucca houses.
Sh. Sukhu said that earlier there was no provision for compensation for damage to poly-houses or for the removal of debris and silt from houses. However, the present government introduced assistance of Rs. 25,000 for poly-house damages and Rs. 50,000 for debris or silt removal.
He added that compensation for livestock losses had also been significantly enhanced. Provision had been made for assistance of Rs. 55,000 on death of a cow, while Rs. 9,000 on death of a sheep or goat. Additionally, a provision had been made for extra assistance of Rs. 50,000 for reconstruction of the cowsheds.
Jagdish Reddy thanked the Chief Minister for providing funds liberally for roads in the region adding that the area was receiving unprecedented support and resources for development during the tenure of the present state government.