Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said that when a State like Kerala, which has been number one in various areas and is a proud part of India, suffered a disaster, the Centre has only given a loan to be repaid and does not give it the financial assistance that it deserves.
Mr. Vijayan has said that the Union government is “obligated” to provide financial assistance, “but it is yet to fulfil that obligation”.
“What was our fault? Are we not a part of this country? Do we not deserve to be a part of it,” he asked, while speaking at an event in Kozhikode, and said that pressure needs to be exerted on the Centre to provide the requisite financial assistance to Kerala for the rehabilitation of the Wayanad disaster victims.
Earlier in the day, Revenue Minister K. Rajan said that the loan of ₹529.50 crore sanctioned by the Union government for Wayanad rehabilitation carries conditions which were “scary” and a “cruel joke”.
Mr. Rajan said that the conditions attached to the loan indicate that there is no change in the stance of the Union government towards the landslide victims in Wayanad and Kerala.
Addressing media in Thrissur, Mr. Rajan said that instead of giving unconditional financial assistance rightfully deserved by Kerala, the Centre only gave a loan with stringent conditions, including utilisation of the entire amount by March 31.
“The conditions which are part of the loan are scary. Directing the State to utilise the entire amount within the next 45 days, by March 31, is a cruel joke,” the Minister said.
Meanwhile, speaking to a TV channel in Wayanad, some of the disaster affected persons said they were disappointed by the development and said that the Centre and the State were throwing them like a ball from one court to another.
“We had great hopes when Prime Minister Narendra Modi came here and promised all help for the rehabilitation work. But only a loan has been given to the State by the Union government. We have no other option but to hold protests and agitations,” they said.
Over 200 lives were lost in the landslides that wiped out three villages in Wayanad district in July last year.
