The Himachal Pradesh government has once again said that it has not yet received the ₹1,500 crore assistance that was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in September after the state suffered severe damage from floods and landslides. The clarification came during the winter session of the Himachal Pradesh assembly on Friday.
In a written response to a question raised by Shahpur MLA Kewal Singh Pathania, revenue minister Jagat Singh Negi confirmed that the state government is still waiting for the funds. He said that although the Prime Minister had announced immediate relief during his visit to the state on September 9, the announced amount has not been transferred yet.
The revenue minister reminded the House that heavy monsoon rains this year caused widespread destruction across the hill state, damaging houses, roads, bridges, farms and public infrastructure. Over the past few years, disaster-related losses have become common in Himachal Pradesh during the monsoon season, affecting thousands of families each year. This year alone, the estimated loss stood at nearly ₹5,000 crore, while hundreds of people lost their lives to flooding, landslides and collapsing structures. Many families were displaced, and more than a thousand houses suffered either partial or complete damage.
In his written reply, Negi said that despite delays in releasing the special ₹1,500 crore relief package, the central government has provided a total of ₹3,451 crore to the state over the last three years under the disaster risk management fund. This amount has been used for disaster response, relief distribution, reconstruction work, mitigation projects and capacity-building initiatives meant to prepare the state for future calamities. However, the minister emphasised that the ₹1,500 crore promised as immediate relief after this year’s disaster has still not been received, and the state continues to follow up on the matter.
The issue of delayed relief funds has been a point of concern for the state government, especially because Himachal Pradesh faces frequent natural calamities due to its mountainous terrain. Heavy rainfall often triggers landslides, flash floods and erosion, causing loss of life and property. The government has repeatedly said that timely financial assistance is necessary for reconstruction, rehabilitation and protective measures in vulnerable areas.
Officials also pointed out that the state has been managing large-scale relief operations, temporary housing support and rebuilding of key infrastructure using its own limited resources. They added that faster assistance from the Centre would help speed up repair work and prevent further hardships for affected families.
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During the same assembly session, the House also discussed another serious issue affecting daily life in the state—the growing problem of stray cattle. A resolution on the matter was brought forward by BJP MLA Sukh Ram Chaudhary, who said that stray cattle numbers are rising across the state and causing difficulties for farmers and the general public.
Chaudhary said that many farmers have stopped farming because their crops are repeatedly destroyed by stray animals. He added that some cattle are brought into Himachal Pradesh from neighbouring states and then abandoned. According to him, stray cattle wandering on roads have also led to several accidents on national highways, some of which have resulted in deaths. He urged the state government to adopt a proper policy and ensure that there is at least one cow shelter in every assembly constituency so that abandoned animals can be taken care of safely.
Supporting the discussion, Congress MLA Kishori Lal said that the problem is not limited to Himachal Pradesh alone. He claimed that stray cattle from other states often end up in Himachal, which increases the burden on local authorities. He said that the government needs to work with neighbouring regions and find a long-term solution.
Responding to the issue, agriculture and animal husbandry minister Chander Kumar said that the stray cattle problem cannot be solved by the government alone. He said the entire society bears responsibility because many cattle owners abandon unproductive animals instead of looking after them. He noted that although the government is concerned and is ready to help, simply opening more cow shelters will not fully solve the issue.
Kumar emphasised that addressing the problem requires a collective approach. He said that citizens, local organisations, and the government must work together and treat the matter as a mass movement. By involving communities, creating awareness and encouraging responsible cattle ownership, the state can make progress in reducing the number of stray animals on roads and farmlands. He also assured that the government is willing to support all efforts that help protect both public safety and animal welfare.
The minister said that long-term action is needed, including better cattle registration systems, stricter rules against abandoning animals, and improved coordination between departments. He also called for stronger community involvement in managing cattle shelters and supporting sustainable solutions.
The winter session discussions highlighted two major challenges faced by the state: the need for timely financial assistance to rebuild after natural disasters, and the growing concern over stray cattle affecting farms, roads and public safety. Both issues continue to demand long-term planning, cooperation among stakeholders and effective policy measures so that the people of Himachal Pradesh can receive relief, protection and support in a timely and meaningful way.
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