Pathania demands white paper on Himachal disaster relief

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Congress alleges deletion of 13 crore voters, questions Himachal Bhawan controversy after Delhi protest

Shimla: Himachal Deputy Chief Whip and Shahpur MLA Kewal Singh Pathania on Tuesday sought a white paper on the Centre’s disaster relief assistance to Himachal, questioning the BJP-led government over funding and delays in key development projects. He also raised concerns over alleged deletions from electoral rolls.
Speaking to reporters in Shimla after returning from Delhi, where he took part in a Congress and INDIA bloc march to the Supreme Court, Pathania alleged that 13 crore voters had been removed from electoral rolls. He called for the Supreme Court to intervene if concerns over the electoral process remained unresolved and urged the government to replace electronic voting machines (EVMs) with ballot papers.

Responding to BJP MP Anurag Thakur’s allegations concerning Himachal Bhawan in Delhi, Pathania said people from different states stayed in state-owned buildings in the national capital. He claimed that protesters had stayed near Himachal Bhawan after obtaining permission from the Centre.

Targeting Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda over disaster relief, Pathania sought details of the financial assistance provided to Himachal Pradesh. He said the assistance announced by the Centre was the state’s rightful due and alleged that no additional funds had been allocated for roads and drinking water.

Questioning the Prime Minister’s announcement of Rs 1,500 crore in assistance, Pathania asked why the allocation required a detailed project report (DPR). He also urged Nadda to work towards restoring the Revenue Deficit Grant (RDG), which provides financial support to states facing revenue shortfalls.

Pathania also questioned the Centre over the alleged lack of major healthcare projects in Himachal Pradesh and delays in the Bhanupali-Beri railway line. He said the BJP had been in power both in the state and at the Centre when the project was expected to make progress.

On the Kishau Dam project, Pathania alleged that the previous BJP government had failed to take significant steps during its five-year tenure. He said Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu had presented the state’s case and that Himachal Pradesh would receive Rs 1,200 crore.

Expressing confidence in the Congress government’s electoral prospects, Pathania said the party would return to power under Sukhu’s leadership. He praised the chief minister for raising issues concerning the state’s rights and urged the BJP to abandon hopes of regaining power.