Wayanad Landslide Relief Fund: Uncertainty Amidst Government Dispute | Thiruvananthapuram News – Times of India

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A total of Rs 658.42 crore was received so far in chief minister’s disaster relief fund (CMDRF) after the Wayanad landslide on July 30. However, according to the CMDRF website, no funds have yet been disbursed to the affected residents.
Four months after the landslide, the affected people of Wayanad are still awaiting rightful compensation as both state and central governments engage in legal disputes over the approval of aid funds. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan had promised support during the disaster’s aftermath, yet no action has materialized regarding the allocation of specific funds.
A significant amount has accumulated in CMDRF but the lack of disbursement reflects a disconnect between governmental assurances and actual relief efforts. The situation has drawn parallels to previous disaster relief efforts, such as during Covid-19 pandemic when Rs 1,129.74 crore was raised, with Rs 1,111.15 crore spent, leaving Rs 18.59 crore unspent. Similarly, for 2018 flood relief, Rs 4,970.29 crore was collected, with Rs 4,738.77 crore utilized and resulting in an unspent Rs 231.52 crore.
Both state govt and the opposition criticized Centre’s refusal to declare Wayanad landslide a national disaster, complicating the situation further. Revenue minister K Rajan expressed disappointment over Centre’s stance, emphasizing that it undermines the support needed for the people of Kerala. Finance minister KN Balagopal highlighted the systematic marginalization of the state in disaster relief allocations, questioning the rationale behind Centre’s decisions.
CPI state secretary Binoy Viswam condemned Centre’s refusal to declare the landslide a national disaster as a “cruel deception”. He announced plans for holding protests, urging party units to organize demonstrations in front of central govt offices to voice their grievances.
As the situation continues to develop, the residents of Wayanad remain in need of support for their recovery from the disaster. The ongoing political wrangle between state and central govts have raised concerns about the timely allocation of relief funds, leaving many affected families in uncertainty as they seek to rebuild their lives.