Himachal faces ₹900 crore loss due to cloudbursts, but no aid from Centre: CM Sukhu’s jibe at Kangana over ‘enough relief’

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has expressed deep concern over the state’s escalating monsoon losses, which have now reached a staggering ₹900 crore.
Despite the significant damage caused by heavy rains and landslides, CM Sukhu lamented that the state had not received any financial assistance from the central government to support the affected families.

The statement comes two days after BJP MP from Mandi and prominent Bollywood actor Kangana Ranaut criticised the Sukhu-led Congress government for the alleged “poor handling” of disaster relief funds.

During her visit to cloudburst-hit areas in Shimla’s Samej (Rampur) and Kullu’s Baghipul (Nirmand) on Tuesday (August 6, 2024), Kangana Ranaut had claimed that after the devastating rains in 2023, the Narendra Modi government had provided a relief package of ₹1,800 crore to Himachal Pradesh. She alleged that these funds were not distributed to the people who needed them most, calling it an “inhuman act” by the state government.

“People are building bridges with their own hands,” she stated, questioning the state government’s commitment to the affected residents.

Kangana also questioned whether the ₹7 lakh promised to each displaced family from the funds had been delivered. She expressed confidence that Prime Minister Modi would once again come to the rescue of Himachal, stating, “PM Narendra Modi will definitely send a package… and it will go to Sukhu ji. An investigation should be started to ensure that the displaced people receive the money. Any corruption here must be curbed.”

The central government, two days later in Parliament, said Himachal Pradesh had received ₹873 crore in flood relief over two financial years from 2022 to 2024. The Union Government informed the Rajya Sabha that Himachal Pradesh received ₹873 crore in flood relief, significantly less than the ₹1,800 crore claimed by Kangana.

The Centre’s high-level committee approved ₹873 crore for Himachal Pradesh under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) for relief and rehabilitation of those affected by natural disasters, including floods and landslides.

Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha, stated that Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, and Assam received the highest allocations under the NDRF in the last two years. Karnataka was granted ₹941 crore, Himachal ₹873 crore, and Assam ₹594 crore. Of this, ₹812 crore was actually released to Himachal Pradesh from the NDRF during the period in question.