New Delhi
Facing widespread devastation caused by the rains and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, Congress on Wednesday demanded the central government to declare it as a natural calamity and also announce a package of Rs 10,000 crore for the hill state like it was done during the Kedarnath tragedy and Gujarat’s Bhuj earthquake.
Addressing a press conference here at the party headquarters, Congress in-charge for Himachal Pradesh Rajeev Shukla said: The kind of devastation that has been caused in Himachal Pradesh due to rains and landslides is not getting proper attention. In the history of Himachal Pradesh, we have not seen such devastation.
He said that till now 330 people have died while 35 are missing. Even over 12,000 houses have been destroyed and over Rs 13,000 crore loss has been assumed. He also said that many highways have been washed away due to landslides.
He also highlighted that two teams from the Centre had visited Himachal Pradesh and they have assessed the situation there. Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had also taken stock of the road damage in the state and he should also announce some package for the state. He also said that the Congress –led governments of Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Karnataka have given assistance to Himachal Pradesh and also other states too should come forward to help the hill state.
Citing the damage in the hill state, Shukla pointed out that whether it is upper Himachal or lower Himachal, devastation has been caused.
