Centre has not given a single rupee to Kerala so far; arguments are wrong, says CM

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has once again lashed out at the Centre for delaying assistance for the rehabilitation of Wayanad. Speaking at a press conference, the Chief Minister said that although 100 days have passed since Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited Wayanad, the central government has not even sanctioned a single rupee as special aid for Kerala in the Mundakkai-Chooralmala disaster.

"The central government's arguments are wrong. The Centre's argument that Kerala did not provide figures, which is why it did not sanction aid to the state, is also incorrect. The Centre had earlier misled by stating that it had warned the state ahead of the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides. We had informed the Prime Minister of the requirements during his visit to Wayanad. Later, a detailed petition was also submitted to the Centre," Pinarayi Vijayan said.

"100 days have passed since the Prime Minister visited Wayanad. Centre is hiding away from the responsibility of the Wayanad disaster. Despite several requests, the Centre has not sanctioned a single rupee as special aid to Kerala. Meanwhile, other states have received financial aid without even requesting it. There was no delay in submitting the PDNA report. The Union Home Minister said that the Centre did not announce a special economic package for Kerala as the state did not provide a detailed report. This is completely factually incorrect. Kerala submitted the petition to the Centre on August 17, seeking primary aid of ₹1,202 crore. Three months have passed since the memorandum was submitted. Despite the central team visiting the state, there has been no response for months," he added.