‘BJP neglecting the needs of disaster-stricken Himachal’: CM Sukhu

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday (August 15, 2025) took a dig at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led central government for neglecting the needs of the disaster-stricken hill State and its residents.

Expressing concern over the growing impact of global warming on Himachal Pradesh, Mr. Sukhu said frequent disasters have caused heavy losses to life and property in the State. Mentioning the 2023 disaster in which the State suffered damages of ₹10,000 crore, Mr. Sukhu said, despite the Central government’s own assessment, Himachal received only ₹1,500 crore, that too after two years. “This year’s disasters have once again caused severe losses, particularly in Mandi district, and the State has not received any financial assistance from the Centre so far. The State government has already disbursed Rs 360.42 crore from its own resources to aid affected families,” he added.

The Chief Minister was speaking at the State-level function that was held at Sarkaghat in Mandi district. The torrential monsoon rains that hit Himachal Pradesh on June 20 have created havoc in the hill State, triggering incidents of cloud bursts, flash floods, and landslides, claiming several human lives, and disrupting normal life.

Mr. Sukhu announced to release an additional ₹100 crore for disaster-hit families to provide prompt relief, along with the launch of ₹3,000 crore project aimed at disaster mitigation and protecting livelihoods in affected areas.

The Chief Minister also expressed concern over the problem of ‘chitta’ (Heroine) and said that the Congress government has been taking earnest efforts to protect the youth from ‘chitta’. “The government has implemented the Prevention of Illicit Traffic in Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act and seized property worth over Rs 42 crore from drug mafias. We have made dope testing for ‘Chitta’ (heroin) mandatory during police recruitment,” he said.

Targeting the BJP, Mr. Sukhu alleged that during the previous BJP regime, jobs were sold out, but under Congress rule, complete transparency has been adopted. “Our government believes in transparency, whether it is about jobs or decision-making. Over the last two and a half years, we have made efforts to ensure transparency at every level. We disbanded the Himachal Pradesh Subordinate Services Selection Board because, during the tenure of the previous BJP government, jobs were sold in the Board. We have taken a strict decision and eliminated this hub of corruption. In its place, the State Government has established the Rajya Chayan Aayog, which will conduct computer-based tests to ensure transparency and curb corruption,” he said.