The ruling Congress and the opposition BJP held a heated discussion on the recent natural disaster in the state on the opening day of Monsoon session of Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, which began in Shimla on Monday .
Charging the state government for not doing enough for the rehabilitation of flash floods affected people, Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur, initiating the debate under Rule -67, accused, “The state government adopted pick and choose policy in allocation of funds and providing relief material to affected people of Seraj Assembly constituency represented by him Vidhan Sabha, as the government agencies distributed relief material through chosen Congress leaders to benefit Congress workers.”
He stated, “As many as 31 people lost their lives during the flash floods in Seraj area and an estimated loss of Rs 1000 to property had occurred after cloud bursts on June 30; Rs 2 crore sanctioned by the state government was only inadequate but as massive damages had left hundreds of people without food, drinking water, shelter, medical facility and a large population was struck due to snapping of road links.”
He also criticized the state government for registering an FIR against BJP workers for protesting to seek relief and rehabilitation and a move of transferring Horticulture collage from Thunag.
In his reply Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu informing he house said, “Affected people of Seraj constituency were given Rs 3 crore along with affected people of other areas from the state relief funds and more funds have been demanded from the Central government under special relief package.”
Refuting the allegation of discrimination of flood affected people in Seraj, the CM stated, “Deputy Commissioners and PWD engineers have been directed to ensure the supply of machinery and food material without delay and he is ready to approach the Central government accompanied by the LoP for seeking additional funds through special relief package.”
The CM stated, “The Horticulture College was relocated to Gohar in Nachan Assembly constituency acting on the request of students and their parents and the LoP should not try to politicize the issue and asked BJP workers for disrespect to the National Flag .”
Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri also lashed at BJP MLAs for allegedly politicizing the relief rehabilitation efforts of the state government, which had immediately swung into action to provide relief material and restore drinking water supply, transport services and other basic needs.
