Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, July 15
Himachal Pradesh’s Jal Shakti Vibhag has suffered an estimated Rs500 crore in losses due to recent natural disasters, with the Siraj constituency alone accounting for ₹200 crore of the damage, Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri said on Tuesday. Addressing the press conference in Shimla, Agnihotri acknowledged the severity of the devastation in Siraj, which is also the home constituency of Leader of Opposition and former CM Jairam Thakur. He emphasised that the state government is accelerating relief and rehabilitation efforts across affected areas, regardless of political affiliations or constituencies.
“Restoration work on water supply schemes is being done on a war footing,” he said, while urging the central government to extend financial assistance to the state. “Only with the Centre’s support can genuine relief be delivered to disaster-hit families.” Agnihotri said the pain expressed by Jairam Thakur is valid, but added that the Congress government does not engage in politics during natural calamities. “We are not looking at MLAs or constituencies. Wherever damage has occurred, help is being provided.”
On the internal front, Agnihotri also pressed for an end to delays in forming the state Congress organisation. He said the party high command should expedite the appointment of key office-bearers and state leadership. “The organisation must be constituted without further delay,” he remarked.
Addressing concerns from Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) drivers and conductors, the Deputy CM acknowledged that while salaries and pensions are being disbursed on time, some financial dues remain unresolved. “We’ll resolve these pending issues through discussions with the HRTC Managing Director,” he said.
