Centre blames Kerala government for delay in granting relief to disaster-affected Wayanad

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Centre has held the Kerala Government's alleged failure to provide a proper assessment memorandum regarding the Wayanad landslide losses, responsible for the delay in providing relief to the affected areas.

In response to a memorandum submitted by newly elected Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi and other MPs from Kerala demanding urgent assistance, Union Home Minister Amit Shah emphasized that the state had only submitted a detailed memorandum on November 13. He assured that Kerala would receive appropriate assistance.

Priyanka Gandhi, while reacting to Amit Shah's statement, posted her response on X "disasters should not be politicized. Support for disaster victims should prioritize humanity and compassion."

The newly elected Wayanad MP had led a group of Kerala MPs to meet Amit Shah on Thursday, urging the Centre to hasten relief assistance.

The Union Minister asserted that the Centre had provided all possible aid to Kerala during the Wayanad landslides, which resulted in over 400 fatalities. He pointed out the state government's delay in submitting a memorandum for Rs 2,219 crore in relief funds. The minister, however, did not mention any date regarding the release of central funds.

Shah stated that the Centre had quickly released funds to Kerala, with the first installment of Rs 145.60 crore from the central share issued on July 31, 2024, and a second installment of Rs 145.60 crore on October 1, 2024, given in advance to the state.

The Home Minister reported that Rs 789.00 crore was already in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), including an unspent balance of Rs 394.99 crore.

On August 19, 2024, the state government formally requested an additional Rs 214.68 crore under the NDRF, which included Rs 36 crore for debris clearance that remains unused.

He noted that three and a half months after the massive disaster, the state had yet to submit an assessment memorandum.

Kerala refutes Shah’s claims

Revenue Minister K Rajan disputed Amit Shah's claims, stating that a detailed memorandum was submitted to the Centre on August 17, requesting immediate assistance of Rs 1,201 crore.

He mentioned that the memorandum was resent as a letter, and the Chief Minister had again raised the issue during his meeting with the Prime Minister in Delhi.

"The Centre is inventing new excuses to delay the necessary assistance," he told mediapersons.

Opposition Leader V D Satheeshan criticized the Centre for ignoring the needs of the disaster-stricken people of Wayanad and also accused the state government of not exerting enough pressure on the Centre to release funds for the rehabilitation and rebuilding of the affected areas.