WAYANAD: A hartal has been called in Wayanad district to protest against the delay in the rehabilitation of the victims of the Landslides at Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad. The LDF and the UDF have called for a hartal in Wayanad on Tuesday, November 19. The hartal will be observed from 6 am to 6 pm.

The LDF has called for a hartal in protest against the Centre's stand that it will not provide financial assistance to the state on the rehabilitation issue in Wayanad. The UDF hartal is against the central and state governments. Kerala has sought Rs 1,500 crore as special assistance. However, the Centre's stand on the issue is unclear even three months after Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan submitted a letter.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited the site of the disaster soon after the tragedy, said there would be no other difficulties in providing assistance and rehabilitation. However, from the Centre's reply, it is clear that what the Prime Minister gave was a false promise.

It is learnt that the minister of state for home affairs replied as per instructions from the Prime Minister's Office. In its reply, the Centre said the Accountant General has informed that Rs 394 crore is remaining with the SDRF as of April 1, 2024.

The union minister's letter detailed Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit and the steps taken by the Centre so far. It is said that a central team was appointed, without the request from Kerala, to visit the site and take stock of the situation and further action will be taken based on their report and conditions.