BJP MLA alleges irregularities in disaster reconstruction works; demands special audit, physical verification and constituency-wise disclosure of funds
Shimla, October 22, 2026: Senior BJP spokesperson and MLA Trilok Jamwal has accused the Congress-led Himachal Pradesh government of serious irregularities in the utilisation of Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) funds, demanding a transparent account of every rupee allocated for reconstruction following the 2023 disaster. He alleged that complaints had emerged of tenders being prepared for locations where no landslides had occurred and payments being released against paperwork without adequate work on the ground. Calling the allegations serious, Jamwal demanded an impartial investigation into the use of public funds.
Jamwal said the Centre had approved a reconstruction plan worth ₹2,006.40 crore for Himachal Pradesh on June 18, 2025, following the 2023 disaster. The plan included a central share of ₹1,504.80 crore, of which the first instalment of ₹451.44 crore had been released. Referring to a government order dated January 13, 2026, he said ₹753.29 crore had been sanctioned for various departments under the second instalment, comprising ₹564.97 crore as the central share and ₹188.32 crore as the state share.
According to Jamwal, the Public Works Department received a sanction of ₹487.80 crore, while ₹176.48 crore was allocated to the Water Power Department, ₹29.13 crore to the Agriculture Department and ₹18.22 crore to the Electricity Board. He questioned the utilisation of these funds, particularly the allocation for roads and bridges, alleging that several roads across the state remained in a dilapidated condition despite the substantial reconstruction budget.
“Roads remain damaged, potholes continue to trouble commuters and traffic disruptions persist. If such substantial funds were sanctioned for reconstruction, where was the money spent?” Jamwal asked. He also referred to reports of 259 road blockages in August 2026 and traffic disruptions on National Highway 5 in the Theog and Pooh areas of Kinnaur in September, questioning whether the expenditure had delivered the intended results.
Jamwal pointed out that the government order restricted PDNA expenditure to approved assets damaged in the 2023 disaster. It also stated that expenditure outside the prescribed guidelines would be the personal responsibility of the officials concerned with approving the spending. He asked the government to clarify whether damage assessments and physical verification had been conducted before tenders were awarded and payments released.
He further said that the order included directions for the utilisation of funds and submission of utilisation certificates by March 2026. Seeking accountability, Jamwal asked Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to disclose how many reconstruction projects had been completed, how many bills had been cleared and how many works had undergone physical inspection.
The BJP MLA also alleged that complaints of politically favoured contractors benefiting from reconstruction funds could not be ignored. He demanded the public disclosure of details of sanctioned funds, tenders, contractors and payments across all 68 Assembly constituencies in Himachal Pradesh.
“Reconstruction funds meant for disaster victims cannot become a means of political patronage or personal gain. Wherever evidence of irregularities is found, strict action must be taken against the officials and contractors responsible,” Jamwal said.
He called for a special audit of suspicious projects, physical verification of completed works and the publication of a constituency-wise white paper detailing the allocation and utilisation of PDNA funds. He said the government must provide clear answers on expenditure, project completion and accountability to ensure that funds intended for disaster-hit communities were used for their stated purpose.
