Decode Politics: Why PM Modi is Talking About ‘Bandarbant’ in Himachal
Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently sparked a political firestorm with his claims at rallies in Nahan and Mandi, accusing the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government of mismanaging flood relief funds. Modi’s assertion that the Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu government distributed National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) money indiscriminately has led to heated exchanges between the BJP and Congress leaders.
PM Modi’s Allegations
At the rallies, PM Modi alleged, “The Centre sent hundreds of crores of rupees to the state government after last year’s disaster, but those funds were distributed indiscriminately. Mark my words, this government’s collapse is imminent. I promise you that I will account for every single paisa from them and put it in the hands of Mandi’s people.”
What Funds Was Modi Referring To?
The funds in question are part of the NDRF and SDRF, with Himachal Pradesh receiving a total of Rs 1,148 crore in relief (Rs 360.80 crore from SDRF and Rs 787.25 crore from NDRF) over 2023 and 2024. These funds are critical for immediate disaster response, with the SDRF being the primary resource for state governments and the NDRF supplementing it when disasters are particularly severe.
The Alleged ‘Bandarbant’ (Indiscriminate Distribution)
Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Jairam Thakur, claims that the Himachal government distributed relief funds selectively, favoring Congress supporters and not following proper procedures. He argues that cash distributions were made manually by local leaders, which is against the rules that mandate bank transfers for amounts exceeding Rs 25,000. Additionally, Thakur alleges that the state government raised compensation amounts arbitrarily, such as increasing the amount for a completely damaged house from Rs 1.30 lakh to Rs 7 lakh without proper procedures.
Himachal Pradesh Government’s Response
The state government has denied these allegations. A senior official from the Department of Revenue and Disaster Management stated that NDRF and SDRF funds are spent strictly according to Ministry of Home Affairs guidelines. Naresh Chauhan, the principal adviser (media) to CM Sukhu, dismissed Modi’s claims as baseless, accusing local BJP leaders of spreading misinformation rather than helping secure more funds from the Centre. He also refuted the claim that relief money was distributed in cash.
Congress’s Accusations Against the Centre
In response, Chief Minister Sukhu and Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi have accused the Centre of neglecting Himachal Pradesh’s needs. After the severe floods in July-August 2023 that killed 441 people and damaged over 14,000 houses, the state government requested Rs 9,900 crore in disaster relief from the Centre, which has not been fully met. Despite launching its own relief fund and appealing for donations, the state received only Rs 360 crore under the SDRF from the Centre in December 2023.
Conclusion
The ongoing political tussle between the BJP and Congress over disaster relief funds in Himachal Pradesh highlights deeper issues of fund allocation, disaster management, and political accountability. As the state rebuilds from last year’s devastating floods, these accusations and counter-accusations are likely to shape the political landscape leading up to future elections.
