Shimla: Revenue minister Jagat Singh Negi on Monday directed deputy commissioners (DCs) across Himachal Pradesh to ensure that all eligible disaster-affected families receive assistance under the special relief packages for 2023, 2024 and 2025.At a review meeting, Negi assessed the progress of relief measures and the status of the 2023 Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA). He instructed DCs to prepare comprehensive records of fully and partially damaged houses, cowsheds, shops and other properties.The minister said complaints had been received that some affected families were left out of the relief package. He directed officials to identify such families, verify their cases and provide eligible assistance at the earliest.A cabinet sub-committee chaired by Negi also discussed measures to reduce congestion in Shimla, Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) and district headquarters, including relocating major markets.The meeting was informed that land had been identified for shifting Shimla’s grain, vegetable, timber and transport markets.Also, over 7,000 bighas of land has been transferred to HIMUDA for a proposed new township in the BBN.
