Help makes sense only when it is provided on time. It has been seventy-three days since a large number of inhabited areas in Wayanad were completely wiped out by the landslides at Mundakkai and Chooralmala on July 30. It is mysterious, extremely sad and condemnable that to date, the central government has not sanctioned even a single rupee to Kerala as a relief to the devastating losses of the Wayanad disaster, as an aid to the rehabilitation work and to support the efforts to bring a people back to normal life through reconstructions. A week ago, the Centre had sanctioned Rs 145.60 crore, not as an aid to Wayanad, but only as a "generous gesture," as a small share of Rs 5,858.60 crore allocated for 14 flood-affected states.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the disaster-hit areas of Wayanad on August 10, the 11th day after the disaster. He held detailed discussions with officials and people's representatives. He returned with a promise that the state should submit a memorandum for grants-in-aid and compensation demands and that the amount would be sanctioned after considering it with urgent importance. The promise received directly from the Prime Minister, who gives the highest priority to development activities and the welfare of the people anywhere in the country, had brought great relief and hope to Kerala. What is the meaning of the Centre's continued indifference towards that promise and Kerala's repeated petitions, even after two-and-a-half months?

A total request of Rs 3,200 crore is pending before the central government, including Rs 1,200 crore initially sought by Kerala as immediate assistance for the damages and Rs 2,000 crore sought for rehabilitation works. While there have been a lot of criticisms over the 'estimate' of Rs 1,202 crore given as demanded by the Kerala High Court, it is not aware of the state receiving any letter from the Centre pointing out ambiguity in the figures, seeking additional details or suggesting a fresh petition in connection with the memorandum submitted to the Centre. When the Chief Minister reached Delhi, he had met the Prime Minister and reminded him about this. The chief secretary also met him. Several letters were sent. Hence, it is true that all the procedures are going on in order. It's just that the centre is not waking up!

The latest thing that has happened on the issue is that KV Thomas, special representative of the state government, met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman the other day and held discussions. KV Thomas also revealed to the media that Nirmala Sitharaman had assured that she would talk to the Prime Minister and take a decision on the Wayanad package as soon as possible. At the same time, there needs to be a more cautious move on the part of the state to get the Centre to sanction the compensation amount at least a day earlier, taking serious note of the urgency of the Wayanad rehabilitation and reconstruction works to be started at the earliest. Not only those who are asleep but also those who pretend to be asleep must be awakened. The Chief Minister should once again go to Delhi or assign a delegation consisting of all MPs to wake up the Centre. Both parties should remember that this is not an issue to deal with politics in mind.