NHAI TO REPAIR HIGHWAYS DAMAGED IN RAINS: JAI RAM

DHARAMSHALA : HP CM Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday told the assembly that the state government has directed the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to repair portions of the national highway damaged in monsoon.

Replying to a question by Jwalamukhi legislator Ramesh Dhawala, the CM said, “This year, rains caused widespread damage to roads. The national highway from Kullu to Manali was damaged. The state suffered losses worth ₹1,994 crore.”

He added that a central team had recently visited the state to assess damages and the Union government will release funds after the panel submits its report.

Jai Ram claimed that after coming to power, his government had approved ₹100 crore for repair of roads and added that another ₹100 crore were allocated in the first budget. “It is for the first time that such a big amount has been given for road repair,” he said.

The CM said ₹2.60 crore were released for repair of roads in Jwalamukhi and Khundian subdivision of the Jwalamukhi constituency.

Admitting that more money was needed for repair, the CM said, “It becomes difficult for the government to release funds in one instalment.”

‘COMMITTED TO FIGHT CORRUPTION IN BANKS’

Himachal Pradesh social justice and empowerment minister Rajiv Saizal on Thursday said the government was taking steps to combat corruption in cooperative banks and societies. “Audit and inspection of societies and banks is done on regular intervals. If irregularities are found, action is taken as per the provisions of the Cooperative Societies Act,” said the minister. HTC