Kerala MPs protest against Centre's demand for Funds on Airlifting Disaster Victims

The Centre has requested Rs 132.62 crore for disaster victim airlifts since 2006. In a letter to the Chief Secretary, IAF officials listed several disasters, including the 2019 floods and Wayanad landslides, and urged the state to settle the bill promptly.

The MPs chanted slogans to remind the Centre that Kerala is part of India. Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, who participated in the protest, criticized the Centre for withholding assistance to the landslide victims due to political reasons.

"There should be no discrimination during natural disasters," she stated. We have approached the home minister, written to the Prime Minister, and appealed to all possible authorities to recognize this as a severe calamity and to approve a special package. The Prime Minister has met with the victims. At least we had hoped for relief from the Centre on humanitarian and compassionate grounds. We still hope the Centre will demonstrate some understanding as this issue goes beyond politics," she remarked.

She mentioned that the entire country witnessed the extensive destruction in Wayanad and the pain and suffering of the people. Yet, due to political reasons, the Centre is withholding the rightful aid for the victims.

CPM MP K. Radhakrishnan has written to the home minister criticizing the Centre's indifferent attitude towards the demand for central assistance for the victims in Wayanad. The MP accused the Centre of adopting a `master-servant’ attitude in dealing with the state's genuine demands for help in the disaster-affected areas. "We will intensify our protest against the Centre if it fails to fulfil the state's demands," he stated.

DMK MP Kanimozhi also raised the issue of the Centre delaying disaster relief funds to Tamil Nadu and Kerala.

BJP State President K Surendran refuted claims that the Centre was charging for the use of helicopters in airlifting landslide victims. He stated that, according to standard procedures, states are required to compensate for services provided by various departments. He emphasized that it is incorrect to accuse the Centre of exploiting the state financially.

Kerala has vehemently opposed the Central Government's demand for Rs 132.62 crore for the airlift of disaster victims, including those from Wayanad. The state intends to request the Centre to waive this amount.

The Central Government insists that all states must pay the air force bills from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), stating that this policy applies not just to Kerala.

In disaster situations, the army's assistance is sought, and it is stipulated that the costs incurred should be covered by the respective states from their Disaster Management Funds.

The Central Government has requested reimbursement of Rs 132.62 crore for the 2019 floods and the airlifting of Wayanad disaster victims, with Wayanad's share amounting to Rs 69.65 crore.