The people of Himachal Pradesh continue to endure the aftermath of last year's catastrophic monsoon season, with a crucial financial lifeline from the central government still out of reach. Despite repeated assurances, the state has not received the substantial disaster relief funds it was promised, severely hampering recovery and reconstruction efforts across the hill state.
The Unfulfilled Promise of Central Assistance
In the wake of the devastating 2023 monsoons, which caused unprecedented loss of life and property, the Union Government had committed to providing significant financial aid. The state government, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, had submitted a detailed memorandum seeking a special relief package of approximately Rs 12,000 crore. This request was based on the extensive damage to infrastructure, homes, and livelihoods.
However, the actual assistance received has fallen drastically short. An interim relief of Rs 200 crore was released initially, followed by a first installment of Rs 315.80 crore from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). A central team conducted an on-ground assessment in October 2023 to evaluate the damage. Based on their report, the High-Level Committee (HLC), chaired by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, approved an additional aid of Rs 360.80 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) in January 2024.
This approved amount represents only a fraction of the estimated losses and the state's request. More critically, even this approved sum of Rs 360.80 crore has not been disbursed to the state government. The delay has left thousands of affected families in a state of limbo, unable to fully rebuild their homes or restore their damaged farms and businesses.
Mounting Pressure and State's Struggle
The delay has sparked significant political friction and public discontent. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has been vocal in highlighting the issue, accusing the central government of step-motherly treatment. The state's financial capacity is stretched thin, as it attempts to manage the massive reconstruction burden with its own limited resources.
The 2023 calamity was one of the worst in Himachal's history, resulting in:
- Widespread destruction of roads, bridges, and water supply schemes.
- Substantial damage to both public and private property.
- Severe impact on the critical tourism and agriculture sectors.
Without the promised central funds, the pace of rebuilding this vital infrastructure remains painfully slow. The state government has had to re-prioritize its budget, diverting funds from other development projects to address the most urgent repair works, which is an unsustainable solution.
A Call for Urgent Action and Release of Funds
The continued hold-up of the NDRF funds is now a central issue in Himachal's recovery narrative. Local representatives and citizen groups are increasing their demands for the immediate release of the approved assistance. They argue that further delays are exacerbating the suffering of those who lost everything in the landslides and floods.
The situation underscores a larger challenge in India's disaster management framework – the gap between approval and actual disbursement of relief funds. For Himachal Pradesh, a state ecologically vulnerable to climate-induced extreme weather, timely financial support is not just about recovery but also about building resilience for the future.
The ball is now in the central government's court. The people of Himachal Pradesh, who have shown remarkable resilience, are waiting for the Union Government to honor its commitment and release the Rs 360.80 crore in NDRF aid without further delay. This action is crucial to help the state truly turn the page on the disasters of 2023 and secure its path to full rehabilitation.
