Shanta Kumar Calls for Allocation of Unclaimed Deposits for Himachal Relief

Veteran BJP leader Shanta Kumar has made an appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, urging the release of Rs 20,000 crore from the Rs 2 lakh crore pool of unclaimed deposits. This financial aid, he believes, is critical for the relief and rehabilitation operations in Himachal Pradesh, which has been severely impacted by monsoons.

In a letter that gained viral attention on Friday, Kumar, the former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, emphasized the extent of the devastation, noting that the state and Central government efforts are insufficient. He proposes the enactment of a legal framework allowing unclaimed funds from deceased depositors to be repurposed for disaster relief.

The state has suffered substantial monsoon-related damage since June, including financial losses amounting to Rs 1,678 crore, with 98 fatalities, numerous missing persons, and many homes destroyed. Furthermore, Kumar has forwarded his plea to the state's Chief Minister, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, urging further action with the Prime Minister.

(With inputs from agencies.)