SHIMLA: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced an immediate relief package of ₹1,500 crore for rain-affected Himachal Pradesh. He also declared ex-gratia payments of ₹2 lakh for the families of the deceased and ₹50,000 for the injured.
Modi first conducted an aerial survey of the flood- and landslide-hit areas before holding a meeting in Kangra to review relief and rehabilitation measures and assess the damage. In the meeting with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, Governor Shiv Pratap Shukla, BJP leaders, affected families, and rescue personnel, he assured full support for the restoration and rebuilding of infrastructure.
The ₹1,500 crore relief will be provided as an advance release of the second installment of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and PM Kisan Samman Nidhi. Modi emphasized a multi-dimensional approach to help the region recover, including rebuilding homes under the PM Awas Yojana, restoring national highways, reconstructing schools, providing relief under the PM National Relief Fund (PMNRF), and supplying mini kits for livestock.
To ensure uninterrupted education, schools can report and geotag damages for timely assistance under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. Plans will also include constructing water-harvesting recharge structures to improve groundwater levels and support better water management.
Inter-ministerial teams have been sent to Himachal Pradesh to assess the damage, and further assistance will be considered based on their reports. Modi also met families affected by the disaster, expressing condolences and solidarity with those who lost loved ones.
The Prime Minister praised the efforts of the NDRF, SDRF, Army, state administration, and other organizations involved in relief operations. He reiterated that the Centre will continue to work closely with the state government, providing all possible assistance, including advance disbursements under disaster management rules, and will review further support based on state and central assessments.
Modi acknowledged the gravity of the situation and assured that the Centre would make every effort to help the affected communities recover.
