CPI-M demands all-party meeting to persuade Centre to declare calamity in Himachal as National Disaster

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh committee of the Communist Party of India Marxist (CPI-M) has demanded that the state government should convene an all-party meeting to prepare a blueprint of the loss due to rains and landslides which will be submitted to the Union government so that the calamity is declared a National Disaster.

The CPM leaders addressing media in Shimla have demanded a "Special Relief Package" for relief and rehabilitation from rain, flood, cloudburst, landslide or any other similar form of damage be extended to the whole of Himachal Pradesh and the time frame be re-notified from July 1 to August 31 and the damage done beyond this period may also be considered if the process of damage is of continuous nature.
The former legislator and senior CPI(M) leader Rakesh Singha said, "The Prime Minister of India should take a ‘Suo Moto’ of the natural disaster and an amount of 10,000 Crore should be announced to the state."

He said that ahead of the polls 200 rupee reduction has been done but the LPG prices have increased many folds in the state. He said that on similar lines as the PM considers Himachal Pradesh as his second home, he should announce a special financial package to the state.
He said that so far nothing apart from the routine disaster funds has been given to the disaster-hit state.

"The House of PM is damaged and his people are in distress. He should take a suo moto action to provide relief to rebuild houses and infrastructure in his second home," said Rakesh Singha.
The CPI-M leader and former mayor of Shimla city, Sanjay Chauhan said that the government need to do much more to mitigate the problems of the people of the State, though there are serious limitations.
He said, "The yardstick or rules to provide funds under the NORF be relaxed so that the actual loss is compensated, and also the relief measures under the SDRF be enhanced so that the burden for reconstructing the damage is reduced on the victims of the calamity. Failing this another alternative of providing a special package of rupees ten thousand crores be demanded from the Union government."
He also said that resolutions of all party meetings and of the Himachal Vidhan Sabha be adopted to amend the Forest Conservation Act 1980 for the Rehabilitation and Resettlement of those who have lost both agricultural and horticultural land and their house in the Natural calamity.
The delegation of CPI(M) leaders met the state Chief Minister.

There is a need to put pressure on the Union government and a moratorium on loans taken from banks should also be announced, he added.
As per the Disaster Management Authority Himachal Pradesh government so far since June 24th this year 386 people have died and 38 are missing due to the floods and rain during monsoon season. A total of 363 have been injured, 2493 houses have been completely damaged, 10751 houses have been partially damaged, 314 shops and 5582 Cow sheds have been damaged. 162 incidents of landslides and 72 incidents of flash floods have been reported in the state.