Himachal Congress hits back at PM Modi for remarks on alleged misuse of flood relief money

Congress leaders in Himachal Pradesh hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi for accusing the state government of unwarranted distribution of central aid to flood victims, and asked him to explain the amount of funds that were granted to the state to deal with the disaster last year.

Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and Congress candidate for Mandi Lok Sabha seat Vikramaditya Singh made the critical remarks on Friday evening, hours after Mr Modi told a rally that the Center had given million rupees during the monsoon disaster last year, but the state government made a 'bandar bant (blind allocation)' of funds.

Canvassing for BJP Mandi Lok Sabha seat candidate Kangana Ranaut, the Prime Minister had also said on Friday that he would recover the money from those who had received it improperly and give it to the people of Mandi.

Addressing the rallies on Friday evening, CM Sukhu said that Himachal Pradesh had received money under the National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) and the National Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) , which are available whether there is a disaster or not.

The state government has sent a revised estimate of the claim of ₹9,900 crore to the Centre, but no amount has been received, he said, adding that BJP leaders should stop “lying” On the question.

They should tell the truth about the amount of special assistance given by the Center to Himachal Pradesh, he said.

Mr. Sukhu also said that during his rallies on Friday, the Prime Minister asked women of the state if they were getting Rs 1,500 per month as promised by the Congress before the elections.

Mr. Sukhu said Opposition Leader Jairam Thakur may have given wrong information to the Prime Minister in this regard as women in Lahaul Spiti have started receiving ₹1,500.

Up to ₹2.37 lakh, women receiving social security pension of Rs 1,150 have also started getting ₹1,500 in their accounts, Sukhu said.

The Prime Minister should ask Jairam Thakur why he approached the Election Commission to stop the payment of ₹1,500 to women.

If the BJP writes to the Election Commission today saying it has no objection, tomorrow ₹1,500 will be credited to the accounts of the women who filled the form, Mr. Sukhu claimed.

In a video message released here, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh said the people of Himachal Pradesh would have felt good if Modi had visited the state during the monsoon disaster of the year last.

The State Assembly had passed a resolution seeking a special package of ₹12,000 crore, but had received only ₹300 crore and that too under the NDRF and SDRF, he said, adding that the state would have received the sum (₹300 crore) anyway.

“Where was Prime Minister Modi, who considers Himachal as his second home, during the disaster,” Mr. Singh asked.

The BJP had claimed that the Center had given a sum of ₹1,762 crore to the state during the disaster, in addition to funds given for construction of 2,300 roads and 11,000 houses for the disaster victims.