Accommodation and food at five-star hotel; bill of lakhs of rupees; 'comfortable stay' for officers appointed at Wayanad disaster site

KALPETTA: Some revenue officials posted at Mundakkai and Chooralmala disaster sites, which claimed the lives of more than 300 people, are staying and eating at five-star hotel. One person's hotel bill for 48 days is Rs 1,92,000. Another one's is more than two lakhs.

The families who lost everything in the tragedy live on a rent of only Rs. 6,000 a month. The details of the officials' lavishness and luxury came to light when there were complaints that many families did not receive even this amount. The officials have submitted a bill to get the amount sanctioned from the disaster management fund.

Deputy collector Ajeesh, who was appointed from Thiruvananthapuram, has been staying in a hotel with a rent of Rs 4,500 per day since he reached the district. The deputy collector submitted bills above Rs 2 lakh as rent so far to the district collector. The officer, who submitted a bill of Rs 1,92,000, stayed at a hotel with a rent of Rs 4,000 per day.

Some of those who gave a hefty bill were officers who did not hold any particular duty. There are also those who came to the disaster site from time to time, stayed and then went home. It doesn't end there either. It is learnt that the bills of stay, including of IAS officers, have been handed over to be sanctioned from the disaster management fund.

Food worth lakhs of rupees was brought to the district collector's chamber from various hotels, including on rescue days. There is also a move to pass these bills.

Ministers at guest house; Food from roadside stalls

Ministers K Rajan, Muhammed Riyaz, OR Kelu and AK Saseendran led the rescue operations by staying at the disaster site for weeks. They were staying at a government guest house. Food from the community kitchen and roadside stalls.

A thorough investigation should be conducted into the conscienceless luxury of the officials

E.J. Babu,

CPI Wayanad District Secretary