Himachal asks Centre for Rs 608-crore relief package

Hit by drought, the Himachal Pradesh government on Saturday urged the Centre for a Rs 608-crore relief package.

The demand was raised with a high-level central team which has finished visiting the hill state to assess the damage owing to poor monsoon. The central team is headed by E K Majhi, joint secretary, agriculture and cooperation.

“Cultivation of routine seasonal crops had not taken place due to the dry spell and poor irrigation infrastructure. Besides, agriculture horticulture and vegetable cultivation had been severely affected,” said state Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.

“Apart from relief to farmers, money was needed to provide drinking water. Fodder to animals has to be procured from neighbouring states,” Dhumal said.

A spokesman of the state government quoting the Central Drought Assessment team head Majhi said, “Crops have suffered more than 50 per cent damage, in some places it was as high as 80 per cent.”

“The state government should compile a detailed report of the drought damage and send it to the Centre,” Majhi said.