Himachal CM says MLA local area devt fund not withheld

Accuses opposition of misleading & blocking disaster relief fund due from Centre

The Newz Radar

Shimla: Reacting to the Opposition leader Jai Ram Thakur’s charge against the government of stopping the MLA local area development fund, Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu raised a question on Saturday about why he was so impatient about it.

During an informal chat with media persons at the Raj Bhavan here on the sidelines of the oath-taking ceremony of an HPPSC Member on Saturday, Sukhu said that the fund has not been stopped or withdrawn. The MLAs will get it, he said adding that the last installment has to be released which has to be spent by March end.

Thakur had threatened to boycott the January 29 meeting on MLAs’ priorities while accusing the state government of withholding the MLA local area development fund.
Sukhu accused Thakur of misleading people and trying to grab headlines by sensationalising issues.

He (Thakur) should focus on helping people rather than running after files in the secretariat, Sukhu quipped.

The CM said that the Opposition should approach the Centre and ensure the release of the pending disaster relief fund and refrain from blocking it.

He said that the Centre needs to pay Himachal Pradesh Rs 10,000 crore for disaster relief as per the disaster relief manual, but the state was being denied this amount. The relief fund was essential for rebuilding roads, restoring water supply, and providing other basic amenities after the floods and landslides that had hit Himachal Pradesh during the monsoons.

Responding to a question on the Himachal High Court directives in the businessman Nishant Sharma case, the CM told media persons that the decision of the HC would be implemented. The special investigation team will be set up as per the directives of the HC, he added.

Reacting to the questions being raised by the Opposition on the initiative – government at your doorsteps – the CM said that money for the expenses on food etc during this initiative was being spent by the Congress party leaders.