Centre’s stand on Wayanad tragedy disappointing; do not isolate Kerala, says Minister Rajan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Centre’s stand on Wayanad tragedy is disappointing, said Minister K Rajan. The Centre is challenging Kerala. While talking to a media, he said a proper reply was not obtained on the things demanded by Kerala.

‘This is not a challenge to K V Thomas, not to the Kerala government, but to three and a half crore Malayalees. This is not acceptable,' he said. When the Prime Minister visited the place, he should have thought how the lives of those in the hospital, including a child named Nysa, would go forward. Rs 40 crore was given to Tripura. We have no problem in it, but should not isolate Kerala, he said.

The union home ministry had informed the other day that the Mundakkai and Chooralmala landslides in Wayanad cannot be declared as national disaster. This is according to the current rules, informed Minister of State for Home Nityananda Rai to state government's special representative in Delhi, Prof KV Thomas.

According to the Central and State Disaster Response Fund (NDRF, SDRF) Act, no disaster can be declared as a national disaster. The primary responsibility for disaster management lies with the states. The letter from the Minister of State for Home Affairs also pointed that Kerala has the necessary funds for this. According to the Accountant General's report, the balance of the Disaster Management Fund in Kerala was Rs 394.99 crore as on April 1.

In the financial year 2024-25, Rs 388 crore (291.20 crore as central share and 96.80 crore as state share) was allocated for disaster management. Of this, the first instalment of Rs 145 crore was transferred in advance on July 31 and the second instalment of Rs 145.60 crore was transferred in advance on October 1. The letter clarifies that the financial assistance provided under the NDRF Act is relief and not compensation.