Don't tell Kerala to wait further

Speed ​​is one of the indicators that are generally considered to be the most important criteria of excellence, efficiency and sincerity. The actual governance efficiency of any government is best demonstrated through the speed with which it implements welfare programs and distributes benefits, impartially and without political considerations. Unfortunately, the central government's sluggish response to Kerala's pressing issues, such as the Wayanad relief package, despite its exemplary focus on national infrastructure development and welfare, fuels suspicions of political bias, leaving many unanswered questions.

In a previous editorial titled 'Should Kerala still Wait?', Kerala Kaumudi had questioned the central government's slow response to the Wayanad disaster, which claimed hundreds of lives, destroyed livestock, and ravaged crops and natural resources. The other day, the central government had submitted an affidavit in the Kerala High Court seeking two more weeks to decide on declaring the Wayanad landslides as an extreme calamity. On reading this affidavit, the same question still lingers, now with even more pain and protest: 'Should Kerala still wait?' A large area including the villages of Mundakkai, Chooralmala and Punchirimattom in Wayanad was wiped out from the state map within a few hours in the night. Yet, three months wasn't enough for the central government to assess the magnitude of the disaster and decide on financial assistance!

Within days of the devastating Wayanad landslides, Prime Minister Narendra Modi made a personal visit to the site to assess the damage. This was swiftly followed by a central study group's investigation into the disaster. Notably, the amicus curiae report subsequently recommended that the Mundakkai and Chooralmala landslides be classified as extreme disasters. Kerala had requested a total financial assistance of Rs 3,202 crores, broken down into two parts: Rs 1,202 crores for emergency response, primary relief, and initial rehabilitation, and Rs 2,000 crores for restoration of infrastructure, other reconstruction activities, and permanent rehabilitation.

The most meaningful and comforting assistance is the one provided when needed the most. The central government announced last month that it had allocated over Rs 14,958 crore for 21 states this year alone. This is in the name of annual floods and damages. In that, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh received a total of Rs 2,528 crore, while Kerala received only Rs 145.60 crore. The Wayanad package report submitted by the state was lying on the central government's table when it allocated this amount. Can this neglect be called anything other than severe discrimination? Kerala is demanding rightful assistance for the revival of its people and the rejuvenation of its vast landscape, not alms. Don't tell Kerala to wait further.