Congress urges Centre to announce financial assistance for landslide-hit Wayanad

Thrissur: The Congress in Kerala on Sunday urged the Centre to announce financial assistance for landslide-hit Wayanad as per the memorandum being submitted by the state government.

While talking to reporters here, Leader of Opposition in the State Assembly V D Satheesan expressed hope that the union government would extend financial support to the disaster-hit region at the earliest.

"The prime minister said yesterday (Saturday) that the relief would be announced based on the government's memorandum with regard to the disaster. We don't know whether it had been submitted yesterday itself," he said.

The LoP said a detailed report on rehabilitation activities should have been given during the PM's visit. "It is understood that the report is yet to be given...Let them (state government) give it today or tomorrow...It is expected that the central government will take a decision according to the demands of the state," Satheesan added.

On Saturday, Modi visited Wayanad and assured that the Central government would "spare no effort" in helping Kerala with relief and rehabilitation. He described the tragedy as "nature displaying its furious form".

According to the state government, the landslides killed 229 people, and over 130 are still missing. The Congress leader also intensely criticized the CPI (M)-led LDF government in the state over the economic position of the state and alleged that Kerala is facing an acute financial crunch.

If the government's move is to increase taxes, the Opposition would oppose it, he said, adding that no more increase in levies can be accepted. He also alleged that the Left government was doing nothing to improve the financial condition of the state. PTI