Days after recognising the Wayanad landslide as a disaster of a 'severe nature', the Union government blamed the Kerala government, saying they delayed sending documents related to the tragedy for rehabilitation works. Union Home Minister Amit Shah said this at a meeting with MPs from Kerala, led by Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi, in Delhi on December 4 to discuss getting more assistance for relief works. In a reply to a representation given by MPs, he said that the Kerala government failed to send any assessment memo even three months after the incident.
While assuring appropriate assistance for recovery and rehabilitation efforts, Shah mentioned in the written note that the primary responsibility of disaster management was with the state government.
"The state government has inordinately delayed complying with the assurances of PM Narendra Modi and not sent any assessment memo even after three and a half months of the incident," Shah said. He added that the Kerala government recently submitted a report and memo with an estimate of Rs 2,219.033 crore for recovery and reconstruction works, which is being examined by an Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT).
Shah's response came at a time when both the Communist Party of India (Marxist)-led Left Democratic Front and Congress-led United Democratic Front in the state were blaming the Union government for the delay in sanctioning financial assistance for the tragedy that hit Wayanad on July 30 this year.
The Union Minister said that the first instalment of the central share of Rs 145.60 crore and the second instalment of Rs 145.60 crore were released respectively on July 31 and August 1. “Besides, adequate funds of Rs 789.99 crore were available in the state’s account for relief operations,” the note said.
Based on the recommendation of the IMCT, a high-level committee on November 16 approved an amount of Rs 153.47 crore as assistance for the bills of the Indian Air Force helicopters used for rescue work and expense for clearing debris, the note said. However, the Minister added that the amount will be subject to an adjustment of 50% of the available balance in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) account.
The Union government said that it received a formal memorandum from the Kerala government seeking additional assistance of Rs 214.68 crore under the National Disaster Response Fund on August 19. It said that the amount, including Rs 36 crore for estimated debris clearance, intended as temporary relief, was yet to be spent.
‘People don’t need excuses’
Sharing Amit Shah’s response, Wayanad MP and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi said that disasters should not be about politics. “Efforts to support the victims of such disasters must prioritise humanity and compassion. The people of Wayanad are looking towards the state and Union governments with hope; they don’t need excuses, they need urgent help to be able to rebuild their lives with dignity,” she wrote on ‘X’.
Following a relentless demand by people's representatives from Kerala, the Union government declared the Wayanad landslide a disaster of 'severe nature' on December 4 at the Parliament. However, there is a growing resentment over the delay in ensuring the rehabilitation of the people affected by the landslide. According to official data, 359 people were killed or went missing in the tragedy. Around 95 persons suffered disability of more than 40%, while 378 were injured.
Meanwhile, the Kerala High Court on Friday orally directed the state government to furnish details regarding the availability and utilisation of the SDRF. A division bench of Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice CP Mohammed Nias stated that lack of clarity in accounts would result in unnecessary bickering and misinformation, reported the Live Law. The court also sought information regarding funds for future expenses such as rehabilitation.