Revisiting the purpose of setting up the Zonal Councils under the provisions of the State Reorganization Act, 1956, the Chief Minister said that this is an excellent platform to raise the level of interstate cooperation for our economic development. He said that it is in the interest of states to sit together and explore the best possibilities of socio-economic development in the region

The delegation included Executive Vice President L&T Group A.R. Soni, Deputy General Manager Sachin Rana, and Administration Head Tarun Kumar Dutt. During the meeting, the representatives conveyed the Group’s commitment to support Himachal Pradesh in the aftermath of the recent natural calamity.

Prime Minister also stated that all assistance under disaster management rules are being made including advance disbursements to the States. He appreciated the efforts of the personnel of NDRF, SDRF, Army, State administration and other service-oriented organisations for making efforts in immediate relief and response. The Central government will further review the assessment based on the memorandum of the State as well as the report of the Central teams.

The Chief Minister said that bleaching powder will be sprayed in the drains to ward off foul smell and prevent the outbreak of related diseases. He assured the people that the state government will leave no stone unturned to help the people in this hour of distress. Bhagwant Singh Mann said that the fury of flood is an unforeseen natural calamity but the state government is fully capable of dealing with such a situation.

During flooding in the Sultanpur Lodhi, Cabinet Ministers Hardeep Singh Mundian and Mohinder Bhagat undertook relief operations to assist affected communities. Both the Cabinet Ministers navigated through waterlogged areas in the Mand region using tractors and reached even the most inaccessible flood-stricken zones.

In Baga village, two individuals have lost their lives while in Panglyur nine persons were swept away due to flash floods, of which four bodies have been recovered. Search operations are underway to locate the remaining five. The residents of Baga apprised the Chief Minister that a large portion of the hillside collapsed, which caused substantial damages to their homes and livestock.

Governor Shukla assured that relief efforts will continue through the Red Cross and, if necessary, more assistance would be arranged through appropriate channels. He urged the people of the State to come forward and extend all possible support to help the affected families. He also appealed to remain vigilant at their own level during this rainy season and urged the tourists not to venture too close to the rivers & rivulets.

To further benefit local fruit growers, he said that work on a Rs.26 crore winery at Parala Market would commence soon. He also assured that sufficient funds would be made available for the construction of the Mini Secretariat at Theog and announced the opening of a new HRTC sub-depot and workshop in the area.

Newly appointed Milkfed Chairman Buddhi Singh Thakur thanked the Chief Minister for the trust and honor bestowed upon him. He said that he has been associated with the Congress Party for the last 45 years and his appointment is not only a personal honor but also recognition of the Anni Assembly segment and the entire Kullu district. He assured that he would strive to fulfill the expectations of the government.

Agriculture Minister Chander Kumar said that a blueprint for modernizing the Dhalli Vegetable Mandi was ready. The government aims to establish multi-purpose markets at strategic locations and link them nation-wide to facilitate the farmers.