Additional assistance requested viewing Wayanad as 'disaster of severe nature'; no error in application, says Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan said that there was no mistake in Kerala's request for rehabilitation assistance in the wake of the Wayanad disaster.

If Wayanad is declared a disaster of severe nature, the state will be eligible for additional funds, including from the National Disaster Response Fund. The situation will also provide relief in loan repayments and new loans with concessions for disaster victims. This is what Kerala demanded.

Wayanad has not been asked to be declared as a National Disaster. The Union Minister replied that there is no provision under the Disaster Management Rules to declare it as a National Disaster. The chief secretary said the application was submitted after understanding this condition. It was requested to be included in the extreme category (Level 3). There was no notification denying help.

According to an official notification, the Centre is studying the Provisional Disaster Management Assessment Report (PDMA) submitted including reports from various departments. The category will be decided and assistance will be sanctioned based on the field report of the central team. The application has been filed for Rs 3,000 crore, including Rs 1,202 crore for damages and Rs 1,800 crore as additional assistance for rehabilitation.

Criteria for Extreme

In 2000, the 10th Finance Commission had defined a 'severe disaster' as affecting one-third of the state's population. The category will be declared after examining the extent of loss of life, damage and environmental degradation.

What's in hand

Central share: Rs 291.2 crore,

State share: Rs 96.8 crore,

Rs 782.99 crore, including the surplus of Rs 394.99 crore as on March 31.

Rs 514.14 crore received as donation

"Rules have to be followed to declare it as a Level 3 disaster. There will be a rehabilitation package of the centre at the appropriate time"

George Kurian,

Union Minister of State

Move to tighten political pressure

The pressure will be intensified irrespective of party affiliations against the Centre's delay in aid. Further action will be taken at the next cabinet meeting. It will also be raised in Parliament. It is also being considered to approach the Centre again. If the central assistance decreases, a relaxation in the loan limit or permission to take loans through KIIFB will be sought.

Hope in court too

The high court also directed the Centre to take a decision this month itself on the demand to declare the Wayanad landslide as a severe disaster. The Additional Solicitor General replied that the High Power Committee needs to be convened. The court also pointed out that the union minister's note does not say that help will not be given.