Himachal Opposition Leader Condemns Government's Disaster Act Withdrawal
Leader of the opposition in Himachal Pradesh, Jairam Thakur, strongly condemned the state government's decision to withdraw the order issued under the Disaster Management Act on Thursday. Thakur accused the government of negligence and insensitivity, highlighting that this move comes six months after the act's implementation without substantial relief or rehabilitation efforts.
Allegations of Government Neglect and Misuse of Power
Thakur claimed that the state government's only notable achievement during the disaster period was spending Rs 10 crore on celebrations, while critical relief and rehabilitation work was largely ignored. He alleged that in the worst-affected areas, the government had "added salt to the wounds" of residents by failing to address their basic needs.
The former chief minister detailed numerous ongoing issues: many roads remain blocked by debris, hundreds of bus routes were suspended for eight months, and temporary bridges are only usable by light vehicles. Additionally, drinking water schemes are still incomplete, and electricity poles and transformers have not been restored in several affected regions.
Questioning the Purpose of the Disaster Act
Thakur questioned why the Disaster Management Act was imposed if no significant relief or reconstruction work was carried out. He accused the government of using the act merely as a tool to delay panchayat elections and stall development projects, rather than addressing public emergencies.
He further stated that from December until now, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and other ministers have spent their time blaming the central government, driven by fear of election defeat instead of focusing on public needs. Thakur alleged that the government is deliberately slowing development and blocking central aid from reaching panchayats.
Warning of Public Backlash and Accountability
Thakur warned that this inaction and the government's fear of elections have left the public feeling cheated. He emphasized that the state's residents will hold the government accountable in the near future for its failures in disaster management and relief efforts.
The opposition leader's statements underscore a growing frustration with the administration's handling of post-disaster recovery, calling for immediate action to address the lingering infrastructure and humanitarian crises.
