Sukhu asks Himachal MPs to help get Centre's nod for allotment of forest land to rain-hit families

     Shimla, Jul 9 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday said the biggest help from the BJP MPs in the state would be to get a special permission for the allotment of forest land to rain disaster-hit families.
     Fifteen people died, five sustained injuries and search operations are undergoing to trace 27 missing persons who were washed away in 10 cloudbursts followed by flash floods and a landslide on the intervening night of June 30 and July 1, said the CM.
     The chief minister on Wednesday visited Bagsaid, Thunag, Thunadi, Lambathach, Jarol, Pandavshila, Kuthah and Janjheli area of Seraj assembly constituency represented by Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thaklur in Mandi district and interacted with the disaster-affected families and listened to their woes.
     "The biggest help from the BJP members of Parliament would be to get special permission under Forest Clearance Act to the state for allotment of forest land for rehabilitation of disaster-hit families and the state government would consider allocating them such land," he said, adding that about 68 per cent of the total land in the state is forest land.
     There are seven members of Parliament from Himachal and they include four Lok Sabha and three Rajya Sabha members, and all of them belong to the BJP.
     Sukhu also asked Mandi Lok Sabha MP Kangana Ranaut to raise the issue of the disaster with the Union government and get help for the people.
     "I understand how difficult it is to build a house in Himachal Pradesh. That's why the state government will provide compensation of Rs 7 lakh for rebuilding your homes," he said.
     The calamity has also caused extensive damage to the properties, affecting 1,184 houses, 710 cow sheds and 201 shops. Seven hundred eighty livestock have also perished in the disaster.
     Later, talking to reporters, Sukhu said, "I am taking stock of the situation and the (state) government has made good arrangements for the affected families in contrast to the BJP's social media claims that nothing is being done."
     He alleged that the BJP is doing politics on social media while the state government is working on the ground. "I air-dropped ration in Raingalu in Thunag. Deputy CM (Mukesh Agnihotri) and PWD Minister (Vikramaditya Singh) were on the spot. All facilities are being provided here but the BJP on social media is creating an atmosphere on social media that nothing is being done," he said.
     The chief minister refuted the BJP's claims, saying the roads had been opened and only then he and others were able to visit the area. He asked the BJP leaders to refrain from doing politics at this time of disaster.
     After visiting the disaster-hit areas in Mandi district, state BJP president Rajiv Bindal had on Tuesday alleged that the Himachal Pradesh government has not been able to restore roads and water supply. The impact of the steps taken by the government for the rehabilitation of affected people is not visible on the ground, he added.
     Sukhu said reopening and restoring blocked roads in the Seraj area was a top priority and around 50 JCB machines and other heavy machinery from the PWD had been engaged in road clearance. "Until roads are reopened, delivering relief materials to people will remain a challenge," he added.
     "There are posts of relief being sent on social media and if anyone wishes to help speak to the concerned deputy commissioner or contribute towards the state disaster fund," he added.
     Relief and recovery efforts are going on war footing, with full support from local authorities to restore normalcy in the affected areas, said Sukhu, adding that the government had made adequate arrangements at relief camps for the affected families, and he was personally satisfied with the efforts being done to provide relief to the affected persons.

(This story has not been edited by THE WEEK and is auto-generated from PTI)