Jai Ram Thakur Criticizes Government Inaction in Disaster Relief Visit

Jai Ram Thakur, Former Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister and senior leader of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), visited the disaster-hit regions of Mandi on Saturday. His visit aimed to evaluate the well-being of residents caught in the calamity and to distribute relief materials directly to those affected. Thakur personally handed out Rs 25,000 to each of the 18 families from the villages of Devol, Shillibagi, Jainshala, Shivthana, and Bhatkidhar.

During his tour, Thakur openly criticized the Himachal Pradesh government's response, describing it as negligent and insensitive. He lambasted the authorities for providing a mere Rs 2,500 to Rs 5,000 to those who had lost everything, questioning their humanitarian approach. "The government promises Rs 7 lakh in aid, yet only Rs 4.5 lakh comes from the central government," he asserted. He further questioned the lack of damage assessment for severely affected homes.

The BJP leader took part in an Independence Day celebration at Mandi's Saraswati Vidya Mandir. In his address, he paid tribute to the nation's freedom fighters and underscored the need for collective action to propel India towards self-reliance. He criticized the sitting state government for failing to innovate and deliver on its promises, urging focus on public welfare over political gains.

Reflecting on recent events at an Independence Day program in Solan, Thakur warned of looming challenges stemming from broken promises and past governance issues. He urged the state leadership to set aside authoritarian tendencies and prioritize the interests of the people, expressing concern over growing discontent even among public figures, not just the common people.

(With inputs from agencies.)