Congress to fight for rehab fund

KALPETTA: The Congress is planning a campaign against the diversion of the central funds which were allotted last year for the rehabilitation of families trapped in the interiors of Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary. The farmers' organizations and greens are already up in arms against the state government demanding immediate release of Rs 18.5 crore which was diverted to the state treasury.    The Congress will take up the issue legally and politically demanding justice for the farmers and tribal communities.

The amount was allotted by the union government for the rehabilitation of 230 families in Chettiyalathur village in March, 2017. If the forest department fails to produce the clearance certificate after completion of the rehabilitation process before March 15, the funds for the remaining phases  would be held over by the union ministry, scuttling the entire process, it is feared. Sulthan Bathery MLA I.C. Balakrishnan told DC that he would give a letter to finance minister T.M. Thomas Isaac on the issue.  Various steps, including agitation of farmers and legal battle against the government, were under consideration, he said.

"It was after decades of agitation and pressure from various levels that the centre had released the funds," he added. Meanwhile, the CPM leadership dismissed the allegations saying that the fund is still with the government which will be released in time. "We have already released Rs 2 crore to the account of the district treasury and the remaining also would be released soon,"   Kalpetta MLA C.K. Saseendran said. Out of around 2, 500 families, 800 were identified to be rehabilitated in the first phase. Among the 14 villages in the first phase, six villages were already shifted. Any impediments in the project would affect the entire rehabilitation process of the remaining settlements.