Shimla, Sept. 26 — Himachal Pradesh has not received a single rupee from the ₹1,500-crore relief package announced by the Centre, state Revenue, Horticulture, and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi said Thursday, highlighting the scale of damages caused by this year’s monsoon.
Speaking to the media, Negi said, “The state suffered losses of over ₹5,000 crore, including damage to roads, agriculture and horticulture land, and public and private property. Between June 20 and September 19, 427 lives were lost, 651 pucca houses and 1,012 kutcha houses were completely destroyed, while thousands of other structures—including shops, cowsheds, and water mills—were affected.”
Taking a jibe at the Centre’s delay, he asked whether the relief amount was being sent by “road, train, or bullock cart.”
Negi emphasized that Himachal provides the highest compensation in the country for disaster-hit families, citing amendments in the state’s relief manual. “The present government provides ₹7 lakh for reconstruction of a fully damaged house, compared to just ₹1.30 lakh by the Centre,” he said. Assistance is also being extended for partial damage to houses, shops, cowsheds, livestock, crops, orchards, and household goods. So far, over ₹270 crore has been disbursed from the SDRF, NDRF, and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
On agriculture, Negi said 67,000 metric tonnes of apples have been procured under the MIS system, and more than 2.25 crore apple boxes have reached the market this season. He urged farmers not to fall prey to “BJP’s misleading propaganda,” noting that the state government had introduced the Universal Carton system in the interest of apple growers.
Negi also accused BJP leaders of indulging in politics even during disasters, adding that despite financial constraints, the state government is committed to providing maximum help to affected families.
