MANDI/HAMIRPUR (Munish Sood)
The Congress government in Himachal Pradesh has repeatedly assured relief to disaster-affected victims, yet on the ground many continue to suffer in silence.
While official claims paint a picture of swift rehabilitation, the reality remains starkly different—several disaster victims are still waiting for aid, their pleas lost in bureaucratic red tape.
A glaring example of this inefficiency has emerged from Dharampur Tika in the Bhoranj Assembly constituency of Hamirpur. Here, a family devastated by the calamity has been running from pillar to post for two years, hoping for government assistance that never arrives.
Congress loyalist, yet forgotten
Pawan Kumar, a dedicated Congress worker and a national trainer for the Congress Seva Dal, faced a devastating blow in the 2023 monsoon. Torrential rains inflicted damage worth approximately Rs 4.5 lakh on his home. Yet, despite his political affiliation with the ruling party, he has not received a single rupee in relief.
Pawan’s plight is ironic—he has spent years strengthening the Congress at the grassroots level, yet when disaster struck, the very government he supported turned a blind eye. Determined to rebuild his life, he knocked on every possible door—from the panchayat office to district administration and even the Chief Minister’s Office.
A formal letter was sent to CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, prompting the Chief Minister’s Office to seek a report from the Hamirpur district administration. However, beyond paperwork, no concrete action was taken.
The much-touted “systemic change” that the Sukhu government promised remains an illusion, and Pawan’s rightful relief remains buried in government files.
Bureaucratic hurdles over technicalities
One of the biggest roadblocks in Pawan’s case is a legal technicality. The land on which his house stands is not officially registered in his name.
According to government records, the land belongs to a man named Bhagirath, though Pawan holds its power of attorney. Bhagirath has since passed away, and his family acknowledges that the land was sold to Pawan years ago.
However, because the official registration was never updated in the revenue department, Pawan’s claim for relief remains stuck in bureaucratic limbo.
Interestingly, no official has explicitly stated this as the reason for denying him aid. However, internal documents confirm that the government recognizes the extent of damage—approximately Rs 4.5 lakh—yet still refuses to act.
The contradiction is baffling: the government acknowledges the loss but withholds the assistance, leaving a dedicated party worker stranded.
Rajkumari’s struggles: Another victim of government apathy
Pawan is not alone in his fight. Rajkumari, another Congress leader from the same district, has also been battling for relief.
A committed party worker who played a key role in securing a zila parishad seat for Congress, she too suffered massive losses in the same monsoon disaster. Yet, two years later, she has received nothing.
“I have approached every office, every official I could, yet no one tells me why I am being denied my rightful relief,” says Rajkumari, her frustration evident.
Justice delayed, justice denied
The stories of Pawan and Rajkumari highlight a troubling pattern—while the government makes grand announcements, real victims remain unheard.
The Sukhu government’s claims of proactive disaster management are falling apart under scrutiny, revealing an inefficient system that leaves even its own loyalists struggling for help.
Pawan, once a firm believer in the system, is now disillusioned. “I worked for the party, believing in its promises. But when I needed help, I was abandoned,” he says.
With monsoon season around the corner again, the question looms—how many more disaster victims will be left to fend for themselves while relief remains trapped in government files? Will the government finally step up, or will stories like Pawan’s and Rajkumari’s continue to expose the widening gap between political assurances and ground reality?
