Himachal Pradesh urges Centre to overhaul disaster relief norms for hill terrain

Himachal Pradesh has formally requested the Union government to amend the existing disaster relief framework, arguing that the current norms do not adequately address the challenges posed by the state's steep and inaccessible terrain. The appeal comes after a series of monsoon-related incidents that caused significant losses across the hilly districts. State officials highlighted that relief distribution in such regions faces logistical hurdles, leading to delayed assistance for affected communities. They urged the Centre to incorporate terrain-specific criteria that would streamline aid delivery and ensure quicker rehabilitation. The central government has not yet responded to the state's proposal, but officials said the matter would be examined in upcoming inter‑governmental consultations.