Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has expressed the hope that Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to the disaster-hit Wayanad district on Saturday, will take a favourable stance towards the state’s demand for a comprehensive rehabilitation package for the people affected by the devastating landslides.
At a press conference here on Thursday, the chief minister said the Centre has informed the state government that the Prime Minister will visit Wayanad on Saturday to assess the situation personally. The state has already appealed to the Union Government to declare this disaster a national calamity, given its severity, he said.
Pinarayi said in response to the state’s demand, the union home ministry has constituted a nine-member committee to evaluate the impact of the disaster and submit a report accordingly. “The Union Government has responded positively to our request for a comprehensive rehabilitation package. I have also written a detailed letter to him, outlining our urgent needs and expressing our gratitude for the support received so far,” he added.
The chief minister said the state government has decided to take immediate steps including disbursement of financial aid from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) to those affected by the landslides. “We have allocated an initial amount to provide immediate relief to the families who have lost their kin. Each family of the deceased will receive compensation of ₹10 lakh. Additionally, those who have suffered injuries will receive financial assistance based on the severity of their injuries, ranging from ₹50,000 to ₹2 lakh,” he said.
Pinarayi said the government is providing temporary shelter for the people whose houses have been completely damaged.
Farmers who have lost their crops and livestock due to the disaster will be compensated to help them recover and rebuild their livelihoods. Small businesses and shops that have been destroyed will receive financial assistance to restart their operations, he said.
The chief minister acknowledged the daring efforts of the armed forces in the rescue operations. The Indian Army and Navy, under the leadership of Major General V. T. Mathew, played a crucial role in these efforts. Although their mission is now complete and they have returned, their contributions will not be forgotten, he said.
