Vijay Pal Singh Meets Disaster-Hit Families in Bali Chowki’s Mani and Devdhar Villages in Mandi, Assures Full Government Support.
Shimla:
In a compassionate outreach to disaster-affected families, Vijay Pal Singh, member of the HP Private Educational Institutions Regulatory Commission and Congress leader from Seraj, visited the Mani and Devdhar panchayats under Bali Chowki Sub-Division in Mandi district. The visit was aimed at assessing the ground realities and listening to the grievances of villagers whose homes and livelihoods have been devastated by recent heavy rains and landslides.
During his visit, Vijay Pal Singh met with residents from four severely affected villages, many of whom broke down while narrating their hardships. One woman emotionally described how she and her family had built a new home just a few months ago, after living in a dangerous old house beside a hill. Their new home, constructed through daily-wage earnings and savings, has now developed deep cracks and is deemed uninhabitable.
“We were asked to shift to a local school or panchayat building, but we have cattle and sheep — where will we take them?” she pleaded.
Several other villagers echoed similar concerns, describing the emotional and financial trauma they are facing. Many families have lost homes, belongings, and livestock, and now live under constant fear of further damage from unstable terrain.
Vijay Pal Singh, visibly moved by the distress of the villagers, assured them of all possible help from the government. He stated that while Bali Chowki was initially spared from the worst of the monsoon destruction, recent downpours have caused extensive damage, making immediate relief efforts essential.
“I will personally ensure that the state government provides every possible assistance. Relief, rehabilitation, and permanent solutions are our priority,” said Singh.
He also directed the local administration to intensify relief efforts and ensure that temporary shelters, food supplies, and medical aid are promptly provided. Special focus, he said, must be placed on safeguarding cattle and livestock, which are crucial to the villagers’ livelihoods.
Present during the visit were Tehsildar Nidhi Saklani, Bali Chowki Block Development Officer Bhupnesh Chadda, PWD Assistant Engineer Bhupender Pal, and several other officials from various departments.
The administration assured the villagers that damage assessments are underway, and efforts are being made to process compensation and reconstruction plans at the earliest.
This visit marks an important step in bringing state-level attention to the suffering of remote villages in Seraj region, and reflects the urgency of providing both short-term relief and long-term rebuilding solutions.
