CM Sukhu Provides Rs. 81.28 Crore Relief to 4,914 Disaster-Affected Families in Mandi; Launches ‘Madhu Mandav’ Initiative to Promote Beekeeping.
Shimla:
In a major step towards rehabilitating disaster-affected families, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today distributed Rs. 81.28 crore in financial assistance to 4,914 beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) during a public function organized at Paddal Ground, Mandi.
The relief amount, aimed at supporting families whose houses were damaged during recent natural calamities, marks one of the largest disbursements of its kind in the state.
Financial Assistance to Affected Families
A total of 1,513 beneficiaries whose houses were completely damaged received the first installment of ₹4 lakh each out of the total Rs. 7 lakh assistance announced by the government. Among them, 781 beneficiaries belong to Mandi, 631 to Kullu, and 101 to Bilaspur districts.
Additionally, 3,401 beneficiaries whose houses were partially damaged received Rs. 1 lakh each, including 1,547 from Mandi, 1,541 from Kullu, and 313 from Bilaspur.
So far, Rs. 14.46 crore in relief assistance has already been distributed to 4,375 families in Mandi district. The Chief Minister stated that 27 disaster mitigation projects worth Rs. 72 crore are currently being implemented in Mandi, while five more projects worth Rs. 18.84 crore have been approved by the State Executive Committee. Proposals for seven additional mitigation projects are under preparation, he added.
Launch of ‘Madhu Mandav’ Initiative
During the event, CM Sukhu also launched the ‘Madhu Mandav’ initiative in Mandi district, aimed at promoting beekeeping as a sustainable livelihood for families residing in disaster-affected areas.
Under this program, beneficiaries will receive financial support, training, and technical guidance to establish beekeeping units. The honey produced through the initiative will be marketed under the ‘Him-Era Mandav’ brand, promoting rural entrepreneurship and self-reliance.
The Chief Minister said the initiative would help affected families rebuild their livelihoods while also contributing to environmental sustainability and local economic growth.
Support for Orphaned Child
In a touching gesture, CM Sukhu presented a cheque of Rs. 7.95 lakh to Nikita, a young girl who lost her parents in the devastating floods at Panglyur in Seraj Assembly constituency. He also announced an additional financial assistance of Rs. 21 lakh for her future welfare.
“Daughters like Nikita are not alone anymore; the state government stands firmly with them,” the Chief Minister said, reaffirming his government’s commitment to providing compassionate support to disaster-hit families.
Dignitaries Present
The event was attended by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, MLAs Chander Shekhar and Anil Sharma, former ministers Kaul Singh Thakur, Rangila Ram Rao, and Prakash Chaudhary, former CPS Sohan Lal Thakur, APMC Chairman Sanjeev Guleria, Vice Chairman of HP Civil Supplies Corporation Vishal Chambial, HPMC Director Joginder Singh Guleria and several senior Congress leaders, including Vijay Pal Singh, Jagdish Reddy, Vijay Kanav and Dr. Chander Shekhar Sharma.
Deputy Commissioner Apoorv Devgan and Superintendent of Police Sakshi Verma were also present on the occasion.
The large-scale relief distribution and launch of the Madhu Mandav initiative underline the Himachal Pradesh government’s continued focus on rehabilitation, livelihood restoration, and sustainable development in disaster-affected regions.
