BJP chief Nadda, party leaders hail Centre's aid to Himachal for 2023 flood, landslide damages

Shimla, Jun 18 (PTI) BJP leaders, including party chief J P Nadda, on Wednesday expressed gratitude to the Union government for the Rs 2,000 crore aid to Himachal Pradesh to overcome losses caused by floods and landslides in 2023.

A high-level committee, headed by Union Home Minister Amit Shah, approved Rs 2,006.40 crore in central assistance for recovery and reconstruction efforts following the devastating floods, landslides, and cloudburst.

Heavy rains had triggered floods and landslides in the state in July and August 2023, and about 550 people died during the monsoon season. The Himachal Pradesh government had been requesting the Union government to expedite the release of Rs. 9,042 crore under Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) for the year 2023-24.

BJP national president and Union Health Minister Nadda, in a statement issued here, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Shah for the financial aid.

Nadda, who hails from Himachal Pradesh, said the financial assistance is an important support to the disaster-affected citizens in dealing with the crisis and providing relief to the disaster victims.

Leader of the Opposition in the state assembly, Jairam Thakur, Himachal BJP president Rajiv Bindal, former Union Minister Anurag Thakur, and former BJP chief ministers and state presidents also thanked the Union government.

They said several steps have been taken to prevent any major loss of life and property during disasters by strengthening the Disaster Risk Reduction system in India. PTI BPL RHL