Flooding Affects 27 Panchayats in Himachal's Kangra District Following Pong Dam Water Release

Heavy rains and the release of water from Pong Dam have flooded 27 panchayats in Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district, causing extensive damage to properties and agriculture. MLA Malendra Raj urged for government intervention and compensation for affected families.

In Himachal Pradesh's Kangra district, 27 panchayats in the Indora area faced severe flooding. This was due to water released from Pong Dam and heavy rains. Congress MLA Malendra Raj highlighted this issue in the Vidhan Sabha, noting that villages experienced flooding for the first time. He urged the government to survey the affected areas and compensate families for their losses.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri acknowledged the situation, assuring that the government is aware and committed to relief and restoration efforts. The release of ten lakh cusecs of water from the dam caused significant damage to private properties, agricultural land, and orchards.

Education Concerns in Himachal Pradesh

During zero hour, BJP's Randhir Sharma raised concerns about the de-notification of Swarghat College in his Naina Devi constituency. He alleged that funds meant for colleges at Naina Devi and Jukhala were redirected elsewhere, claiming opposition MLAs faced injustice. Education Minister Rohit Thakur responded by stating that 27 colleges were de-notified due to enrollments below 100.

Thakur assured that the case would be re-examined. He mentioned discussing with the Public Works Department regarding fund diversion from Swarghat College, as they are the nodal agency responsible.

Infrastructure Funding Issues

BJP's Deep Raj highlighted issues with infrastructure funding in his Karsog constituency. He noted that Rs 32 crore was sanctioned for Karsog and Rs 56 crore for Rampur from the Central Roads Fund (CRF). However, tenders have been cancelled three to four times, delaying progress.

The situation in Himachal Pradesh highlights challenges across various sectors. From natural disasters affecting communities to educational and infrastructure funding issues, these matters require urgent attention. The government has pledged to address these concerns through surveys, compensation, and re-evaluation of policies.

With inputs from PTI