Center should declare monsoon tragedy in Himachal as national disaster: Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri

Dharamsala, August 15, 2023: Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri paid tribute to the martyrs at the Martyrs Memorial in Dharamshala before hoisting the flag at the district-level Independence Day function. He also took the salute of the march past.

In his address, Agnihotri highlighted the devastating impact of the monsoon season in the state. The rivers are overflowing, and numerous incidents of cloudbursts have shaken the region. Rough estimates suggest a loss of eight thousand crores and the unfortunate loss of over 300 lives. Agnihotri emphasized the need for the central government to declare this tragedy as a national calamity and provide financial aid of two thousand crores.

On Tuesday, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri visited the local rain god Indru Nag temple to pray for the prosperity of Himachal. He acknowledged the significant loss of life and property caused by the heavy rains. The people of Himachal have immense faith in Indra Nag Dev as the god of rain, and they bow  their heads in prayer at the Indra Nag temple, hoping for relief from the continuous rainfall.

Agnihotri expressed his admiration for the brave soldiers of Himachal Pradesh in his speech. He described the state as the land of gods and heroes, where courageous soldiers are renowned for their unwavering bravery, valor, and sacrifice. He paid tribute to Major Somnath, Captain Vikram Batra, Colonel DS Thapa, and Major Sanjay Singh, who achieved the prestigious Paramveer Chakra through their incredible acts of bravery. These individuals have forever etched their names in the annals of Paramveer Chakra recipients.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri announced that the government is actively working towards creating an environmentally friendly state. As part of this initiative, the government has decided to provide a subsidy of up to 50 lakh, equivalent to 50 percent of the cost, for the purchase of electric buses, taxis, and autos by private operators. Additionally, the government has declared six electric corridors throughout the state.

To kickstart this effort, 15 electric buses have already been introduced in Dharamshala, and charging stations are being constructed at 126 locations. This will ensure convenient access to charging facilities for electric vehicle owners.

Furthermore, the government is committed to completing the pending water mission by March 31, 2024. A total of 1027 crores will be invested in the district to achieve this goal. Kangra, being a crucial district in Himachal Pradesh, is receiving special attention to promote the water and irrigation sector.

One significant project in the Nurpur area, the Finna Singh Medium Irrigation Scheme, had been delayed for an extended period. However, due to the state government's efforts, it has now received investment clearance from the central government. The project's cost has reached 643 crores, with 300 crores already spent on it.

In Palampur, a sewerage scheme is underway, with an expenditure of 350 crores. Additionally, the Asian Development Bank has proposed 120 crores for drinking water schemes.

During the Independence Day celebrations, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri took the opportunity to provide appointment letters to 25 deserving youths in the Jal Shakti Vibhag, based on compassionate grounds. The event was attended by various dignitaries, including Chief Parliamentary Secretary Kishori Lal, MLA Kewal Singh Pathania, MLA Malendra Rajan, DIG Abhishek Dullar, Commandant Sakoh Battalion Khushhal Sharma, Deputy Commissioner Dr Nipun Jindal and  Superintendent of Police ms Shalini Agnihotri.