Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the general secretary of the Indian National Congress, has urged the Centre to declare the natural calamity that has hit Himachal Pradesh as a national disaster. She made the appeal on Tuesday, September 12, 2023, after visiting the rain-affected areas of Kullu district.
Gandhi said that the Centre should rise above “party politics” and provide immediate relief to the affected people. She also said that the Centre should ensure that the state government has the necessary resources to carry out relief and restoration work.
The natural calamity in Himachal Pradesh has caused widespread damage. Several roads and bridges have been washed away, and many houses have been damaged or destroyed. There have also been reports of loss of life.
The state government has already declared a state of emergency in the affected districts. However, Gandhi has said that the Centre’s help is also needed to deal with the situation.
The Centre has not yet responded to Gandhi’s appeal. However, the Union Home Ministry has said that it is monitoring the situation in Himachal Pradesh and is providing assistance to the state government.
The declaration of a national disaster would allow the Centre to provide more financial assistance to the state government and to deploy central forces for relief and restoration work. It would also give the state government access to additional resources from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
The decision of whether or not to declare a national disaster is ultimately up to the Centre. However, Gandhi’s appeal has put pressure on the government to act quickly and provide relief to the affected people of Himachal Pradesh.