Rubbishing Opposition BJPs claims of huge central funding to the hill State, Himachal Pradesh Revenue Minister Kaul Singh Thakur on Tuesday said that the Central Government had not released a single penny under Climatic Relief Fund (CRF) to State last year.
Replying to a query of Vikram Jaryal of BJP, Thakur said that the State had sought Rs 984 crore from Centre under CRF but there was no response from the Government on the issue till date.
Giving details, Thakur said that State had sought Rs 863 Crore for less Monsoon and Rs 121.50 Crore as compensation for the winter rain damage to the crops.
Kaul said that the CRF had not been adequately granted by the centre for last three years, as in 2015-16 only Rs 81 crore was reimbursed by the Centre against a demand of Rs 787 crore by the State, similarly in 2014-15 only 134 crore was sent against a demand of Rs 1100 crore.
During the discussion, Congress legislator Asha Kumari alleged that central government had adopted biased approach for disbursing funds under CRF andsufficient funds were not provided to areas, where major dameges to roads or IPH schemes were reported due to climatic factors.
Asha Kumari alleged that only Rs 1.50 Crore was allotted to Dalhousie and Churah while Chamba and Bharmour got Rs 8 Crore. She said that it is arbitrary to allot lesser funds in more affected area and more funds on less affected areas.
Revenue Minister Thakur asserted that government had been allotting CRF funds in proportion to the recorded loss; however, it is not in position to compensate the entire loss.
During the discussion, BJP legislator Mahinder Singh Thakur alleged that state government had been spending National Disaster Relief Fund (NDRF) on construction of Revenue Offices however climate affected area were being ignored.
Refuting the allegation, Thakur said that funds allotted to NDRF were not used for construction activities, however, the funds were used for maintenance of roads and public schemes.
He said that Monsoon rains had caused massive damage in Dharmpur Assembly segment and government had to deploy 27 earth movers and an allocation of 90 lacs was made to the Public Works Department for the restoration drive.
He said that the funds under NDRF were directly released to respective Deputy Commissioners and was disbursed to compensate the loss of lives caused in accidents due to climatic factors.
He informed that under CRF Government paid Rs 4 lac to next of deceased in case of loss of life in road accident. He informed the house that about Rs 38.23 crore was disbursed under NDRF and CRF in Chamba district alone in last three years.