Kerala Assembly passes unanimous resolution against Centre's delay in aid to Wayanad

Thiruvananthapuram: The Kerala Assembly unanimously adopted a resolution, criticising the Central government's delay in providing aid to the landslide-affected Wayanad district. The motion was presented by Parliamentary Affairs Minister M B Rajesh at the start of an adjournment discussion in the Assembly.

In the resolution adopted on Monday, Rajesh highlighted that a memorandum detailing the damage caused by landslides in the Chooralmala, Mundakkai and Punchirimattom areas of Meppadi panchayat in Wayanad, which occurred on July 30, had already been submitted to the Centre. Despite this, no immediate assistance has been received, and the delay in Central aid is hampering the rehabilitation of landslide survivors.

The resolution urged the Central government to expedite financial assistance and called for the complete waiver of bank loans for those affected by the disaster. Rajesh stressed that the landslides were among the worst ever reported in the country, devastating large areas of the hill district.

After the disaster, the Kerala government sought financial aid from the Centre for rehabilitation efforts. A similar request was personally made to Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the affected areas, as well as in a letter sent to him, the minister said.

According to the National Disaster Management Act, the landslides in Meppadi are classified as a 'disaster of severe nature'. Rajesh pointed out that several other states have received assistance without even submitting a formal memorandum, making it regrettable that Kerala has not received similar treatment. He also noted that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has the authority to write off the loans of disaster victims, and for this to happen, the Centre must intervene.

Following the resolution's passage, Speaker A N Shamseer announced that it was adopted unanimously by the House.

Responding to the debate, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed disappointment over the Centre's delay in approving assistance for Wayanad, despite the state submitting a detailed memorandum that met all necessary criteria. Vijayan stated that the initial damage assessment estimated losses of Rs 1,200 crore across various sectors.

The Chief Minister added that a memorandum requesting additional funds for the State Disaster Relief Fund had been submitted to the Union government and was personally handed over to Prime Minister Modi on August 27. A more detailed memorandum was also submitted on August 17, following the Central Government's requirements.

Despite these efforts, no special financial aid, which is typically granted during severe disasters, has been provided to Wayanad thus far, Vijayan said. He mentioned that the state’s special representative in New Delhi, K V Thomas, and the state disaster management secretary had already discussed the matter with the Union Finance Minister and Union Home Ministry officials.

Vijayan also pointed out that Kerala has faced similar neglect in receiving adequate Central aid during previous disasters, and expressed hope that this would not be repeated in the case of Wayanad.

Leader of the Opposition, V D Satheesan, described the delay in Central assistance as a "serious issue". He criticised the Centre for not providing any aid to Kerala, while other states facing natural calamities had received prompt support. Satheesan stressed that the Central government has an obligation to help victims of disasters by providing necessary funds. He urged the state government to intensify its efforts in pressuring the Centre to release aid.

Satheesan offered the opposition's full support to the state government in rehabilitating the landslide victims, to which the Chief Minister responded positively, calling for a united effort to assist those affected.

Both ruling and opposition parties flayed the Union government for its lack of action in providing financial relief to Wayanad, despite Prime Minister Modi's visit to the area. While the UDF accused Modi of visiting Wayanad for a "photo shoot", the LDF argued that in a federal system, the Centre has a moral obligation to support rehabilitation efforts following a disaster.

T Siddique, a Congress MLA, who moved the adjournment motion, recalled that PM Modi had visited the affected areas in Wayanad, met with survivors, and visited injured individuals in the hospital. He noted that the Prime Minister spent one and a half hours more than planned in Wayanad, and during a high-level meeting, had assured the state that the Centre would support rehabilitation efforts.

"We need at least Rs 2,000 crore for rehabilitation. Now, survivors are asking if PM Modi visited Wayanad just for a photo opportunity," Siddique remarked.

Former Health Minister K K Shailaja also called for united protests, both inside and outside the Assembly, to address the Centre's continuing neglect of Wayanad.
Agencies