Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla/ New Delhi, July 28
Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jairam Thakur on Monday met Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi to brief him on the widespread destruction caused by natural disasters in the hill state. Former CM Thakur, who led the previous BJP government in Himachal, said he apprised the Prime Minister of the “severe damage” in disaster-hit regions, stressing that many families had not only lost their homes but also the land on which they stood.
“The Minister took detailed information about the extent of damage and assured all possible support in reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts,” he said. He said he urged the Prime Minister to consider relaxing provisions under the Forest Conservation Act to enable allocation of land to people who lost everything in the calamity.
He also pressed for an “area-specific relief package” tailored to the needs of the state, and requested a scientific study to understand the causes behind the recurring natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh.
“The Prime Minister was very sympathetic to the concerns raised and expressed his commitment to help Himachal in this hour of need,” he said. He also thanked Modi for the assistance provided during the relief and rescue operations carried out in the aftermath of the disasters.
