Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
© The Indian Express Pvt Ltd
Tags:
Journalism of Courage
The Union government informed Kerala that the Wayanad landslides of July 30 cannot be declared a national calamity, and expressed the view that sufficient funds are available with the state for relief operations.
The state government had sought assistance of Rs 900 crore from the Centre towards the relief and rehabilitation of the people affected by the tragedy, which killed 231 and left 47 others still missing. Around 900 families were displaced due to the landslides, leaving three hamlets nearly deserted.
“Under the existing provisions of SDRF/NDRF, there is no provision to declare any calamity as national disaster,” Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said in a letter to Kerala government’s special representative in Delhi, K V Thomas.
The Union minister said primary responsibility for disaster management rests with the state. “I would like to say that an amount of Rs 388 crore has been allotted to Kerala for 2024-25. The first instalment of Rs 145.60 crore was released on July 31 and the second instalment of Rs 145.60 crore on October 1. Besides, the Accountant General, Kerala, has reported a balance of Rs 394.99 crore in SDRF account as on April 1, this year. Thus, sufficient funds are available in the SDRF account for relief operations,” the letter said.
A central government team had visited the landslide-affected areas and based on a report from the team, the Centre had taken action as per the established procedure, the letter said.
Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram
