New Delhi [India], July 2 (ANI): Congress Chief Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday slammed the central government on the pending relief amount for Himachal Pradesh required during landslides and rainfall.

In a post on social media X, Kharge wrote that the Himachal government had demanded a total relief package of Rs 9,000 crore.

https://x.com/kharge/status/1940331021330960511

He further wrote that in 2023, the Congress had announced a total of Rs 4,500 crore to the state, while the Modi government only provided Rs 433 crore to the state, and called it a 'stepmotherly' treatment.

'Even before this year's rainfall, the Himachal government had demanded a total relief package of 9000 crore from the centre. In the 2023 tragedy, the Congress state government had released special assistance of 4500 crore, whereas the Modi government at the centre provided only 433 crore to the state,' he said

'Now, the Modi government has recently announced 2000 crore for 2023 in a hurry, and the BJP is busy taking credit for it, but the relief amount is still pending. This is the stepmotherly treatment of the BJP towards Himachal!! It is hoped that this time, instead of taking credit, the BJP will take action to provide help for the losses,' the post read.

Kharge, in his post, demanded that the Central government release the pending disaster relief funds for Himachal Pradesh.

He also expressed grief at the loss of lives in the state due to the heavy rainfall and landslides, stating that they were 'extremely distressing.'

'The news of loss of life and property due to heavy rainfall and landslides in Himachal Pradesh for the past several days is extremely distressing. The government and administration are engaged in relief and rescue operations on a war footing. My deepest condolences to the families of the victims. I appeal to Congress leaders and workers to provide every possible assistance to the public. We demand from the central government that the disaster relief funds pending for Himachal Pradesh for the past few years be released with immediate effect,' the post read.

A total of 51 people have died while 22 others have been missing due to the torrential rains, flash floods and landslides in Himachal Pradesh, according to the latest official data. (ANI)