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India Gazette
10-07-2025
- Climate
- India Gazette
Himachal Pradesh Minister slams Centre for bias, announces relocation of flood-hit college
Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], July 10 (ANI): Amid ongoing devastation caused by heavy rainfall and flash floods in Himachal Pradesh, the state's Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Wednesday announced the government's decision to shift the flood-affected College of Horticulture and Forestry from Thunag in Mandi district to Sundernagar, citing massive infrastructure damage and safety concerns. Addressing the media, Negi said that keeping in mind the studies and safety of students, the flood-hit college has been relocated to a safer location in Sundernagar in Mandi from Thunag. 'The college in Thunag, which functions under our Horticulture University, was severely impacted by the flash floods on the evening of June 30. Around 300 students study horticulture and forestry there. It's fortunate that most of them were not present on campus that night, as they were staying in PG accommodations or rented homes. Those who were there managed to save their lives by walking to safety.' He said. Negi stated that following an assessment, the university has declared holidays until July 14. 'Examinations and new admissions are also due. We assessed whether classes could resume at the original location, but the infrastructure is severely compromised. Even the buildings are unsafe. So, we decided to shift the college to Sundernagar for now,' he said. He clarified that the relocation was a temporary arrangement. 'We are not merging this college with any other institution, and the college at Chunal will not be shut down either,' he added. Negi also expressed frustration over the college being opened earlier without proper infrastructure. 'There was no hostel except for about seven girl students. Around 95 per cent of the students lived in houses near the nallah, which turned disastrous,' he said. 'We have directed the university to identify a safe and permanent location where classes and hostels can be operated immediately. We want the college to function independently and not as a merged entity,' the minister stressed. Negi has called for legislative action against unplanned construction, he said, with consensus in the upcoming Assembly session, the state would come up with a Law to regulate unscientific construction. The minister admitted that unchecked construction near rivers and streams was a serious problem. 'We often say houses shouldn't be within 100 metres of rivers, but people forget quickly. There's a need for strict laws, and we will bring a proposal in the upcoming Assembly session. If passed unanimously, it will pave the way for enforcement,' he stated. Highlighting the state's plight, Negi alleged that the Union government is discriminating against it in terms of assistance and in post-disaster aid. 'In 2023, damage worth Rs 10,000 crore was assessed in Himachal Pradesh, but we received only Rs 2,006 crore under the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA). Even then, 25 per cent of the amount must be contributed by the state government.' He said. He said the Rs 2,006 crore includes schemes across multiple departments such as PWD, Jal Shakti, Horticulture, Forest, Agriculture, and Animal Husbandry. 'This help came late in 2025, even though the loss occurred in 2023. Now in 2024, we are again facing large-scale destruction. Even BJP's national president and Union ministers from Himachal have seen it,' he said. 'Despite having the national president of the BJP and Union ministers from Himachal Pradesh, why is the Centre discriminating against the state when it comes to assistance?' he said, attacking the BJP. Negi appreciated former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur's decision to join the current Chief Minister in meeting of central leaders. 'Last time we had asked them to join us in Delhi. Now they are willing. That's a good step. Only when pain is felt personally does one understand its gravity,' he said. When asked about Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut's involvement in flood relief, Negi launched a scathing attack. 'We've heard she is unhappy. If she's not happy being an MP, she should resign. Let someone who wants to serve the people take her place,' he said. Negi remarked, 'I think Kangana Ranaut is better suited for Bollywood. There she has everything makeup artists, ready-made setups. But public service demands a different mindset. And I don't think she's willing to change that mindset.' Negi said the impact of the monsoon was still growing. 'The rainfall hasn't stopped. Mandi district has suffered the most, though damage in other districts is also increasing. As of today, 2,004 roads are blocked, including a national highway near Kataula in Mandi,' he said. 'Over 700 water schemes are disrupted. Electricity lines have also taken a hit. Thousands of orchards and farmlands have been washed away. Around 1,300 houses have been reported as partially or completely damaged,' he added. He said a revenue department committee would assess the damage to ensure genuine compensation. 'Often, those with less damage get more relief, while real victims suffer. We will ensure this doesn't happen,' he said. Negi also pointed out that in 2023, Himachal Pradesh was the first state in India to offer Rs 7 lakh as relief for completely damaged houses. 'The Centre only gives Rs 1.2 lakh. Even now, the Centre's contribution under PDNA limits house compensation to Rs 2 lakh. This needs to be revised.' 'The national president of the ruling party and our MP Kangana Ranaut should raise this issue with the Centre. If they can't do that, then there's no point in talking about serving the public,' Negi added. (ANI)
Time of India
23-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Govt ensures multi-channel fund flow
T'puram: The state govt has finalised a multi-channel fund flow mechanism for the Wayanad Model Township project, outlining how various financial sources will be routed and spent. The project, planned at Elstone Estate in Wayanad, is being developed as a post-disaster rehabilitation initiative using funds from the chief minister's distress relief fund (CMDRF), corporate donations, sponsorships, and central assistance schemes. A proposal for support from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) is still pending with the Centre. The govt order, issued by the disaster management department, clarifies that funds will be withdrawn strictly based on requirement and in accordance with financial rules, with no provision for unnecessary parking of money in bank accounts. KIIFCON, the state's infrastructure consultancy, has been appointed as the project management consultant and employer representative, while the engineering and construction work has been assigned to Uralungal Labour Contract Cooperative Society (ULCCS). CSR funds, currently exceeding Rs 5cr, are earmarked for housing, with each unit tagged at Rs 20 lakh for accounting purposes, though actual costs may vary. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like CUPRA Terramar Híbrido CUPRA Ver oferta Undo Separate accounts will be maintained for CSR transactions for compliance purposes. CMDRF will fund housing, land development and utility work not covered under SASCI. Existing sponsorships are also directed exclusively to housing construction. The sponsorship account is kept separate for receiving and debiting funds, with a view to maintain straightforward tracking of all related expenses. Meanwhile, the state awaits approval from the ministry of home affairs for the release of funds from the NDRF based on the post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) report. Funding for components like housing and public infrastructure, if not already covered under SASCI, will be routed through either the state disaster management authority or directly to implementing departments, based on decisions by the state executive committee. The govt has directed that fund withdrawal across all accounts must be strictly aligned with project needs, and any deviation from approved rules will not be allowed. The framework, though complex, is intended to provide financial clarity and traceability in the implementation of the multi-crore township initiative. INFO Three dedicated accounts To ensure clean accounting, 3 separate bank accounts have been designated Sponsorships and CSR funds will be received in a dedicated account managed by KIIFCON These funds are meant solely for housing and are to be spent directly from the same account The project implementation account will be used to route CMDRF, CSR and other state and central govt funds and to meet general project expenses A third account will handle funds under the special assistance for state capital investment (SASCI) scheme This will be operated as a child account under the disaster management department's single nodal agency account in the public financial management system Departments like PWD, KWA, irrigation and KSEB will operate similar child accounts to carry out specific infra works The special officer appointed for the township will also operate a child account
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Centre clears ₹2,006-cr aid for Himachal to tide over 2023 flood fury
A high-level committee, headed by Union home minister Amit Shah, has approved ₹2,006.40 crore in central assistance for Himachal Pradesh for the recovery and reconstruction efforts following the devastating floods, landslides, and cloudburst of 2023. Heavy rains had triggered floods and landslides in the state in July and August 2023, and about 550 people died during the monsoon season. The Himachal Pradesh Congress government has been requesting the Union government to expedite the release of ₹9,042 crore under post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) for the year 2023-24. The committee, comprising Union finance and agriculture ministers and the vice-chairman of the NITI Aayog as members, considered the proposal for financial assistance to the state from the recovery and reconstruction funding window under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), an official statement said. The high-level committee has approved the recovery plan of ₹2,006.40 crore to Himachal Pradesh, which will help the state in carrying out recovery and reconstruction activities, arising due to the damage and destruction occurred during the 2023 monsoon due to floods, cloudbursts and landslides, it said. Of this, ₹1,504.80 crore will be the central share from the recovery and reconstruction funding window under the NDRF, it added. On December 12, 2023, the ministry of home affairs approved an additional financial assistance of ₹633.73 crore from the NDRF for Himachal Pradesh. The central government had approved a recovery plan of ₹1658.17 crore for Uttarakhand in the aftermath of the Joshimath subsidence and of ₹555.27 crore for Sikkim in the aftermath of the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) incident of 2023. BJP national president and Union health minister JP Nadda, who belongs to Himachal Pradesh, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Shah for the financial aid. He said the financial assistance is an important support for disaster victims. Leader of the opposition in the state assembly and former chief minister Jairam Thakur, state BJP president Rajiv Bindal, former Union minister Anurag Thakur also thanked the Union government.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pinarayi urges PM to restore Section 13 of Disaster Mgmt Act
T'puram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the restoration of Section 13 in the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which was removed through an amendment in March 2025. In his letter, the CM said the deleted clause allowed the national authority to recommend loan waivers and simplified credit terms for disaster victims provisions that were vital for helping affected people rebuild their lives. Calling the provision a humane safeguard, Vijayan said its removal would only worsen the plight of those already devastated by natural calamities. The letter comes against the backdrop of the govt's recent submission in the high court that it cannot waive loans of victims of the Mundakkai–Chooralmala disaster, citing the deletion of Section 13. The CM argued that the clause was in force when Kerala submitted its first memorandum on Aug 17, 2024, as well as during the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) report submitted on Nov 13, 2024. However, the govt amended the law only on March 29, 2025, through a gazette notification. He pointed out that the amendment is not retrospective and questioned the govt's stance of denying aid based on a legal change that came much later. The chief minister accused the govt of deliberately adopting a stance that prevents disaster-affected people in Kerala from getting assistance, including relief from bank loan liabilities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like It might kill off the whole industry': What's at stake as US-China tariff war hits SE Asia CNA Read More Undo He reminded the PM that it was only after the govt failed to act that the high court took suo motu cognisance of the issue. The court clearly called for relief measures and even criticised the govt's indifference to the situation in Kerala. Stating that the govt's approach ignores even the court's observations, Vijayan requested urgent intervention from the PM to reverse the amendment and reinstate Section 13 in the Disaster Management Act. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan says Centre not distributing charity to Himachal
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan on Monday said that the central govt is not distributing charity to Himachal Pradesh, but the state is only getting its share, like all other 29 states of the country. Responding to the statements made by BJP MPs Anurag Thakur, Suresh Kashyap, and others that the central govt is providing sufficient funds to Himachal, the industries minister clarified that if Himachal is getting funds under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, or MGNREGA, it is the right of the state. "It is not the case that Himachal started getting these funds only when the BJP came to power in the Centre. Himachal used to get the same funds even when the previous govt was at the Centre as per the set pattern," he added. The minister, however, accused the central govt of not releasing funds to the state govt, especially around Rs 10,000 crore under the post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA), though the state govt sent the claims to the Centre in the financial year 2023-24. He claimed that the central govt is indirectly benefiting other states ruled by the BJP or its allies. Chauhan questioned the BJP leadership in Himachal about whether they got any funds or schemes sanctioned for the hill state other than what the state is getting under the existing schemes. The cabinet minister also held former chief minister and current leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur, as well as the previous BJP govt, responsible for putting Himachal into a financial mess and a vicious cycle of loans. MSID:: 121728401 413 |
