‘Atmanirbhar Himachal’ Becomes Political Flashpoint: CM Sukhu Accuses Centre of Neglect, Raises Aid for Disaster Victims Amid BJP Boycott.
Shimla:
In a politically charged address at Mandi’s Paddal Ground, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu hit out at the Union Government and opposition BJP, accusing them of insensitivity and discrimination towards Himachal Pradesh in the aftermath of devastating natural calamities.
Declaring that “Atmanirbhar Himachal” was not just a slogan but his government’s mission, the Chief Minister announced a hike in disaster compensation—raising assistance for families who lost their belongings from Rd. 70,000 to Rs. 1 lakh, despite what he described as the state’s “severe financial strain” and lack of Central support.
Centre Denying Aid, State Seeking Approval to Rehabilitate Victims
CM Sukhu said the state was still waiting for the Rs. 1,500 crore aid promised by the Centre, asserting that not a single rupee had been released yet. “It has been two months since the Prime Minister’s announcement, yet Himachal Pradesh has received no financial help,” he said.
He further revealed that the state government had requested Central approval to rehabilitate disaster-affected families on forest land, as thousands of residents remain displaced after this year’s unprecedented landslides and floods.
“I am ready to go to Delhi under the leadership of Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda. I have no ego; my only goal is to help disaster victims,” Sukhu said, making a pointed appeal to BJP leaders to prioritize people’s suffering over politics.
“BJP Playing Politics Over Pain”
The Chief Minister lambasted the BJP for boycotting the event despite being invited, accusing them of prioritizing politics over compassion.
“The BJP leaders are insensitive to the suffering of the common man. Their only aim is to play politics and spread lies,” Sukhu remarked.
He said the Union Government’s relief amount of Rs. 1.30 lakh for rebuilding houses was “laughably inadequate.”
“Building a house takes a lifetime. How can Rs. 1.30 lakh be enough? I come from a common family and understand people’s pain,” he said, defending his government’s decision to raise compensation for fully damaged houses to Rs. 7 lakh and partially damaged houses to Rs. 1 lakh—the highest in the country.
Self-Reliance Through Welfare and Reform
CM Sukhu outlined his government’s “Atmanirbhar Himachal” vision, emphasizing welfare-driven governance. He noted that the state had adopted 6,000 orphaned children as “Children of the State” and was providing financial support for widows’ children pursuing higher education.
The Chief Minister said his government was working to strengthen the rural economy, increasing the milk procurement price to Rs. 51 per litre for cow milk and Rs. 61 for buffalo milk, while also purchasing naturally grown wheat, maize, barley, and raw turmeric directly from farmers to enhance rural incomes.
He contrasted this with the BJP’s record, alleging that the previous government misused public funds, benefited contractors, and handed over land to industrialists at throwaway prices.
“The BJP government built buildings worth Rs. 1,000 crore to benefit contractors. In Baddi-Nalagarh, they allotted 5,000 bighas of land worth Rs. 5,000 crore to big industrialists for just Rs. 14 lakh. Not a single industry has come up there,” he charged.
OPS, Education, and Healthcare Reforms
Reaffirming his commitment to employees, the Chief Minister said,
“As long as I am Chief Minister, Himachal Pradesh will remain under the Old Pension Scheme (OPS). I am the son of a government employee, and I understand their concerns.”
He credited educational reforms for improving Himachal’s ranking from 21st to 5th in quality education and highlighted the establishment of 100 CBSE-based government schools.
On healthcare, Sukhu noted that robotic surgery had begun in Tanda and Chamiyana medical colleges and would soon expand statewide.
“People of Himachal no longer need to spend Rs. 1,000 crore annually in other states for treatment,” he said.
Ministers Join Attack on Centre
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi accused the Centre of bias against Himachal, saying,
“While Uttarakhand, Jammu & Kashmir, and Punjab received Central support, Himachal—ruled by Congress—was ignored.”
He claimed that the special relief package announced by the Sukhu government was the most generous in the country and already being implemented.
Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani was even more direct in his criticism, stating,
“The Prime Minister calls Himachal his second home, yet no relief has come. The Rd. 1,500 crore aid never reached Shimla. Despite this, the Chief Minister personally went to ground zero to help victims.”
He accused BJP MPs of being “mute spectators” during the crisis, saying none of Himachal’s seven BJP parliamentarians had sought help from the Centre.
BJP’s Absence and Political Overtones
The event, notably boycotted by BJP legislators from Mandi district, was attended by senior Congress leaders including Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, MLA Chander Shekhar, former Minister Kaul Singh Thakur, and BJP MLA Anil Sharma.
Speakers lauded Sukhu’s “sensitive and hands-on” leadership during the 2023 disaster, contrasting it with the BJP’s “indifference and opportunism.”
MLA Chander Shekhar cautioned against the growing environmental threat, saying,
“Global warming’s effects are visible. Despite limited resources, the Chief Minister has stood by every affected family when the Centre has not released a single rupee.”
Political Storm Ahead
With relief and rehabilitation now entwined with politics, the battle lines between the Congress government in Himachal and the BJP-led Centre have sharpened.
As Sukhu pushes his “Atmanirbhar Himachal” agenda amid financial constraints and alleged Central neglect, the issue of unreleased disaster funds and BJP’s absence from relief efforts could become a defining flashpoint in the state’s evolving political landscape.
