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Hindustan Times
4 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Centre clears ₹2,006-cr aid for Himachal to tide over 2023 flood fury
A high-level committee, headed by Union home minister Amit Shah, has approved ₹2,006.40 crore in central assistance for Himachal Pradesh for the recovery and reconstruction efforts following the devastating floods, landslides, and cloudburst of 2023. Heavy rains had triggered floods and landslides in the state in July and August 2023, and about 550 people died during the monsoon season. The Himachal Pradesh Congress government has been requesting the Union government to expedite the release of ₹9,042 crore under post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA) for the year 2023-24. The committee, comprising Union finance and agriculture ministers and the vice-chairman of the NITI Aayog as members, considered the proposal for financial assistance to the state from the recovery and reconstruction funding window under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), an official statement said. The high-level committee has approved the recovery plan of ₹2,006.40 crore to Himachal Pradesh, which will help the state in carrying out recovery and reconstruction activities, arising due to the damage and destruction occurred during the 2023 monsoon due to floods, cloudbursts and landslides, it said. Of this, ₹1,504.80 crore will be the central share from the recovery and reconstruction funding window under the NDRF, it added. On December 12, 2023, the ministry of home affairs approved an additional financial assistance of ₹633.73 crore from the NDRF for Himachal Pradesh. The central government had approved a recovery plan of ₹1658.17 crore for Uttarakhand in the aftermath of the Joshimath subsidence and of ₹555.27 crore for Sikkim in the aftermath of the Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) incident of 2023. BJP national president and Union health minister JP Nadda, who belongs to Himachal Pradesh, thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and home minister Shah for the financial aid. He said the financial assistance is an important support for disaster victims. Leader of the opposition in the state assembly and former chief minister Jairam Thakur, state BJP president Rajiv Bindal, former Union minister Anurag Thakur also thanked the Union government.
Time of India
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Pinarayi urges PM to restore Section 13 of Disaster Mgmt Act
T'puram: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi urging the restoration of Section 13 in the Disaster Management Act, 2005, which was removed through an amendment in March 2025. In his letter, the CM said the deleted clause allowed the national authority to recommend loan waivers and simplified credit terms for disaster victims provisions that were vital for helping affected people rebuild their lives. Calling the provision a humane safeguard, Vijayan said its removal would only worsen the plight of those already devastated by natural calamities. The letter comes against the backdrop of the govt's recent submission in the high court that it cannot waive loans of victims of the Mundakkai–Chooralmala disaster, citing the deletion of Section 13. The CM argued that the clause was in force when Kerala submitted its first memorandum on Aug 17, 2024, as well as during the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) report submitted on Nov 13, 2024. However, the govt amended the law only on March 29, 2025, through a gazette notification. He pointed out that the amendment is not retrospective and questioned the govt's stance of denying aid based on a legal change that came much later. The chief minister accused the govt of deliberately adopting a stance that prevents disaster-affected people in Kerala from getting assistance, including relief from bank loan liabilities. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like It might kill off the whole industry': What's at stake as US-China tariff war hits SE Asia CNA Read More Undo He reminded the PM that it was only after the govt failed to act that the high court took suo motu cognisance of the issue. The court clearly called for relief measures and even criticised the govt's indifference to the situation in Kerala. Stating that the govt's approach ignores even the court's observations, Vijayan requested urgent intervention from the PM to reverse the amendment and reinstate Section 13 in the Disaster Management Act. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
Time of India
09-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan says Centre not distributing charity to Himachal
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan on Monday said that the central govt is not distributing charity to Himachal Pradesh, but the state is only getting its share, like all other 29 states of the country. Responding to the statements made by BJP MPs Anurag Thakur, Suresh Kashyap, and others that the central govt is providing sufficient funds to Himachal, the industries minister clarified that if Himachal is getting funds under the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, or MGNREGA, it is the right of the state. "It is not the case that Himachal started getting these funds only when the BJP came to power in the Centre. Himachal used to get the same funds even when the previous govt was at the Centre as per the set pattern," he added. The minister, however, accused the central govt of not releasing funds to the state govt, especially around Rs 10,000 crore under the post-disaster needs assessment (PDNA), though the state govt sent the claims to the Centre in the financial year 2023-24. He claimed that the central govt is indirectly benefiting other states ruled by the BJP or its allies. Chauhan questioned the BJP leadership in Himachal about whether they got any funds or schemes sanctioned for the hill state other than what the state is getting under the existing schemes. The cabinet minister also held former chief minister and current leader of opposition Jai Ram Thakur, as well as the previous BJP govt, responsible for putting Himachal into a financial mess and a vicious cycle of loans. MSID:: 121728401 413 |
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Business Standard
04-05-2025
- Politics
- Business Standard
₹1,700 cr approved for Joshimath rehab, first instalment released: CM Dhami
Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Sunday announced that the Central government has approved ₹ 1,700 crore disaster relief package for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Joshimath, which has been grappling with severe land subsidence since early 2023. Speaking to reporte₹, CM Dhami recalled that around 20 per cent of Joshimath town was affected by land subsidence in February 2023, resulting in widespread cracks in homes, roads, and buildings. "Many agencies from both the central and state governments were involved in the assessment... A detailed survey report was submitted, following which we appealed to the Prime Minister and Union Home Minister. Now, ₹ 1,700 crore has been approved for sewerage, reconstruction, and waterlogging mitigation," he said. The Chief Minister further informed that the fi₹t installment of ₹ 292 crore under the package was released. "I express my gratitude to the Prime Minister and the Home Minister for their support," he added. Joshimath, a key gateway for pilgrims heading to Badrinath and Hemkund Sahib, grabbed national attention last year when hundreds of houses developed cracks, forcing residents to evacuate and raising concerns over the town's stability. Experts have attributed the sinking to unplanned development, tunnelling activities, and natural facto₹ such as fragile geology. The state government had declared parts of Joshimath as disaster-affected zones, halting construction activities and launching temporary relief measures. With the release of central funds, the focus is shifting towards long-term solutions, including slope stabilisation and infrastructure rehabilitation. The Chief Minister emphasized that the funds would be used judiciously to restore public confidence and safeguard the livelihoods of the affected population. It is known that on January 2, 2023, large cracks started appearing in many houses and the infrastructure of Joshimath due to land subsidence. About 22 per cent of the structures located in Joshimath town were affected by this. Following this, CM Dhami immediately held a meeting with the top government officials and inquired about the situation. On the Chief Minister's instructions, senior government officials visited the area. "On the instructions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, a 35-member team consisting of experts from NDMA, USDMM, IIT Roorkee, UNDP, CBRI, Wadia Institute, NIDM, and other agencies visited Joshimath during the fourth week of April 2023 to conduct PDNA (Post Disaster Need Assessment). During the visit, the area-wise damage assessment was done for housing and rehabilitation, health and education, civic amenities including drinking water and sanitation, local level infrastructure like roads and bridges, disaster risk reduction and recovery and reconstruction plans," an official release said on Saturday. In the sequence of the inspection report given by the experts regarding the Joshimath landslide as above, the High Level Committee (HLC) approved financial assistance for work to be carried out in various secto₹ for recovery and reconstruction activities in Joshimath town and surrounding area. "The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority proposed to start various projects to prevent land subsidence in Joshimath town and provide better facilities to the residents of the city. Initially, it is planned to undertake projects to stabilize unstable areas and improve the drainage and sewerage system of the town. These activities will improve the stability of the ground, thereby providing strong land for building. It will also help in undertaking various activities related to demolition and reconstruction of houses and infrastructure," the release read. The projects in the fi₹t phase include Toe Protection works along the Alaknanda river, Slope Stabilization measures, Water and Sanitation. DPR on these aspects has been prepared by Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority and submitted to National Disaster Management Authority, for sanctioning grants. The proposed projects were later submitted to the Ministry of Home Affai₹.
The Star
25-04-2025
- Politics
- The Star
A decade after the devastating 2015 earthquake, is Nepal any safer?
KATHMANDU: Friday (April 25) marks the tenth anniversary of the devastating earthquake that struck Nepal on April 25, 2015, claiming nearly 9,000 lives and injuring over 22,300 people. The major quake measuring magnitude 7.8 and its numerous aftershocks devastated the country, damaging more than half a million homes and other structures, according to official records. After the 2015 earthquake, Nepal continued to experience aftershocks for an extended period. As highlighted in the government's Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) report, Nepal ranks as the 11th most earthquake-prone country globally. 'Since the first recorded earthquake in 1255 AD, which killed a third of the Kathmandu Valley's population, including King Abhaya Malla, Nepal has witnessed a major earthquake every few generations,' the report states. The last significant earthquake before 2015, with a magnitude of 8.4 in 1934, resulted in over 10,000 deaths in the Kathmandu Valley. Significant earthquakes also occurred in 1980, 1988, and 2011, all of which caused substantial loss of life and property. After the 2015 disaster, Nepal experienced jolts of varying magnitudes frequently. In November 2023, a 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck Jajarkot in western Nepal, resulting in the tragic loss of 153 lives. In response to the 2015 disaster, the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration introduced the Town Development, Urban Planning and Basic Guidelines on Building Houses, 2015, to reduce casualties in future disasters. However, despite introduction of these policies, experts warn that the initial resolve to improve safety standards has faded over the years. Amod Mani Dixit, president at the National Society for Earthquake Technology (NSET), an NGO dedicated to earthquake preparedness, noted that although significant policy decisions, such as enforcing stricter building codes, were made, they have not been effectively implemented. 'There are serious issues in the monitoring of infrastructure construction,' Dixit told the Post. 'Unfortunately, no corrective measures have been taken.' Dixit emphasised the need for commemorating disasters as important occasions of public education and preparedness. 'Other countries establish museums with earthquake memorabilia to maintain awareness. In Nepal, however, these crucial matters are often ignored by the authorities.' Government officials, meanwhile, contested Dixit's claims. Kali Prasad Parajuli, spokesperson for the Ministry of Federal Affairs and General Administration, asserted that the government has fully enforced the recommended policies with regard to implementing building codes and delegated authority to provincial governments. 'Provincial administrations now have the power to set building standards, though these must be at least as stringent as those of the federal government,' said Parajuli. 'Many municipalities are actively demolishing structures that breach building codes.' Most activities related to town development, urban planning and open spaces, as well as building new houses, are overseen by the Ministry of Urban Development, said Parajuli. However, an official at the Ministry of Urban Development argues that their role is limited to coordination, as the local governments are responsible for overseeing such activities. 'I doubt rural municipalities bother getting building maps approved before construction, since they are not required to do it. Map approval is compulsory only in municipalities,' said Narayan Prasad Mainali, a joint secretary at the Urban Development Ministry. 'But the code of conduct implemented by the government soon after the earthquake of 2015 should have been implemented by local governments.' Mainali argued that they are not aware of what the local level governments are doing with regard to implementing the building code. While the central government claims the implementation of the code of conduct for building houses falls under local units, local governments on the other hand claim the absence of technical experts to support their supervision. Nimesh Mishra, the chief administrative officer of Melamchi Municipality in Sindhupalchok district, one of the most affected areas by the devastating 2015 earthquakes, claims that local residents have partially followed the building code enforced by the government. 'However, the place is still prone to a multi-hazardous situation, since landslides and floods have continuously hit the area,' Mishra said. 'Even the houses built following the building code have been impacted.' Barpak of Gorkha was the epicentre of the 2015 earthquake. However, following years of the quake, people in the area seldom follow the building code of conduct established by the government, says Bishnu Prasad Bhatta, the chair of Barpak Sulikot Rural Municipality. 'People who received reconstruction aid from the government after the earthquake followed the building code, but the people building houses these days do not follow such conduct.' Dixit says the new constitution has empowered the local level but without technical know-how. He thinks that the local units alone cannot monitor these tasks properly in the absence of technicians. The 2015 guidelines state that the house structure of a commercial building should cover no more than 50 per cent of its plot, while the structure of residential houses should be limited within 70 per cent of the plot. Experts claim these codes are routinely ignored. Architectural engineer Susan Vaidya of Livable Kathmandu initiative remarked that in urban areas where land prices are extremely high, compliance is often impractical. 'The government must formulate more realistic standards,' she said. Experts agree that ignoring the lessons of the past puts Nepal at grave risk. The country lies on a major tectonic zone, where the Indian and Tibetan (Eurasian) plates collide. The officer of the National Earthquake Monitoring and Research Centre stressed preparedness saying another large earthquake could strike Nepal at any time. 'Nepal sits in one of the world's most active continental collision zones,' the officer explained. 'The Indian plate continues to push northward by about four centimeters a year. This builds pressure until rocks eventually fracture, causing earthquakes.' Dixit points out that the government has failed to protect and promote open spaces, which are vital during emergencies, especially in urban areas. For instance, the Bhainsepati area in Lalitpur was earmarked as open space after the 2015 quake, but is now occupied by ministerial residences. The open space that has been breached in the core residential area is located in Bhaisepati, where a new minister's quarter has been constructed. There were at least eight hundred eighty-eight open spaces throughout the Kathmandu Valley before the 2015 earthquake. What is the condition of those open spaces at present? Dixit questioned. During the 2015 crisis, open spaces played a critical role, with many Kathmandu residents taking shelter in fields near the Nepal Army Officers' Club at Sundhara, Bagdurbar. Even these areas are now covered by buildings. Government officials also agree that space constraints in cities like Kathmandu pose a serious challenge during major disasters. 'Yes, there was a discussion post-earthquake about preserving open spaces, but availability of land is a genuine concern in urban zones,' they acknowledged. 'In some instances, buildings were constructed out of necessity.' - The Kathmandu Post/ANN
