Kangana ‘missing’ after becoming MP: Vikramaditya

Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Vikramaditya Singh today took a dig at Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut saying that she had gone missing from the state since she won the last Lok Sabha elections. “She was seen in Mandi only twice since she became an MP. Once she came to open her restaurant in Manali and then for a meeting,” he added.

The minister said that Kangana couldn’t find time even to attend the District Development Coordination and Monitoring Committee (DISHA) meeting. “The local MP chairs the DISHA meeting but she couldn’t find time to attend it. The people of the state will have to think about it,” he added.

Vikramaditya said that the Mandi MP should tell people how many issues related to Himachal she had raised in the Lok Sabha and how many times she had come to the state to speed up development. “She should give these details in writing to people so that they can decide how to deal with people who only shows up during elections,” he added.

He also criticised Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur who had said that the state did not appreciate the Central Government for financial assistance. “It appears that Jai Ram Thakur is suffering from amnesia. During the Assembly session, I had presented the complete data of the Pradhan Mantri Gramin Sadak Yojana and how much funds Himachal has received from the Centre. I have expressed my gratitude to the Union Minister for this,” he added.

Vikramaditya said, “I will also like to say that the money under the PMGSY-III has been given to all states and not just Himachal.” He added that Himachal had received money for the construction of roads and bridges from the Centre but the Rs 9,000 crore Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) money on account of losses suffered during the 2023 monsoon is still awaited. “We believe in constructive politics, as there is only difference of ideology and no personal enmity. When it comes to protecting the interests of the state, we will seek the Centre’s cooperation and assistance,” he added.

The minister said, “I will like to point out that the Centre has given no grant-in-aid to Himachal while Jammu and Kashmir was provided Rs 25,000 crore assistance in the last Budget.” He added that under the centrally-sponsored schemes, Himachal as a special category state gets money in the 90:10 ratio, which applies to all hill states Jammu and Kashmir, Uttarakhand and northeast states.

Himachal Tribune