Kerala: Did the LDF govt delay Wayanad rehabilitation efforts?

The Opposition United Democratic Front (UDF) on Tuesday, criticised Kerala's Left Democratic Front (LDF) government for what its leaders described as an “unnecessary delay” in the rehabilitation of landslide-affected residents in Wayanad’s Chooralmala and Mundakkai.

In response, the Kerala government denied in the assembly that it was hindering rehabilitation efforts, leading to an Opposition walkout.

State revenue minister K. Rajan explained that the delay in financial assistance was mainly owing to the Centre's inaction, which only provided a long-term loan of approximately Rs 530 crore in February.

“It has been nearly eight months since the landslide struck, and you have yet to produce a comprehensive beneficiary list,” said Wayanad Congress MLA T. Siddique, who moved an adjournment motion in the assembly. “Why has this delay occurred? Have you consulted local bodies and other stakeholders?”

Opposition leader V.D. Satheesan expressed disbelief that the government had not been able to compile a list of beneficiaries in seven months.

Earlier in the session, Rajan stated that three beneficiary lists had been created. The Phase I list includes 242 families directly affected by the landslide, while the Phase II A list comprises families whose homes were undamaged but located within the 'no-go zone' established by the John Mathai committee.

“This list is complete, and we are now addressing complaints. We are nearing the final stages,” Rajan noted. The Phase II B list pertains to isolated families living on the outskirts of the 'no-go zone'. “The draft list has been prepared, and the appeal process is ongoing. It will soon be finalised,” he added.

Satheesan challenged the minister's claim that the Phase I list was finalised, pointing out that the deadline for hearing complaints was 13 March. Rajan further indicated that the Centre had delayed the official designation of the landslides as a severe disaster, while the state had taken various measures to alleviate the victims' suffering, including waiving loans from Kerala Bank. 

The Opposition accused the state government of failing to expedite rehabilitation efforts. Speaker A.N. Shamseer denied the UDF's adjournment notice, which Siddique argued was necessary to discuss the government's lack of action since the disaster on 30 July last year, which devastated three villages in Meppadi panchayat and resulted in over 200 deaths. Siddique also alleged that the Centre neglected the disaster victims.

Satheesan recalled that during the 2018 floods, the government had acted more effectively. He cited significant losses in his constituency of Paravur, where 2,000 homes were completely destroyed, and over 3,000 suffered damage. “Despite the extensive destruction then, we finalised the beneficiary list within a month,” he claimed, crediting this efficiency to the district administration.

He contended that the Phase I list was inconsistent, citing names of affected individuals omitted from the District Disaster Management Authority's (DDMA) beneficiary list. “Rasheed, Karuppayya, Sajan, Aliyarkutty… many disaster-affected individuals are missing from your lists,” he said, highlighting discrepancies between the lists prepared by the gram panchayats and DDMA.

Satheesan noted that many individuals in affected areas were instructed to remain in their old homes and questioned the government's decision to restrict access beyond the bailey bridge over Punnapuzha after 3.00 pm. “Consider the plight of families forced to stay in vulnerable conditions,” he remarked, describing the list as chaotic.

Medical assistance for survivors was another pressing issue. Both Siddique and Satheesan stated that survivors were incurring medical costs out of pocket, with guidelines for continued support issued only in February, nearly seven months after the disaster. Siddique also noted that only Rs 5 lakh had been allocated for medical aid, contrasting this with the Rs 1.25 crore spent on securing acquittals for two Youth Congress members allegedly murdered by CPI(M) workers.

In an emotional response, Rajan assured, “Don’t worry about the Rs 5 lakh. The government will meet the continuous or emergency medical needs of the affected individuals, whatever the cost.”

Satheesan pointed out that there had been no decisions regarding educational assistance for students in affected areas, adding, “There’s no money for the elderly even to purchase medicines.” Siddique claimed that the first financial support received by victims came from the Indian Union Muslim League (IUML), amounting to Rs 15,000.

Satheesan mentioned that the poverty alleviation and women empowerment programme 'Kudumbashree' had submitted a micro-plan proposing tailored rehabilitation strategies for various survivors, including orphaned children and single mothers. “You promised Rs 6.5 crore, but not a single rupee has been disbursed,” he said. He also questioned the discontinuation of the daily allowance of Rs 300 for victim families after three months, though Rajan attributed the decision to Central regulations.

This prompted IUML MLA and deputy leader of opposition P.K. Kunhalikutty to interject, stating, “We have also been in power. What prevented the cabinet from deciding to continue the daily allowance?” Rajan responded that it would now be extended for another nine months.

Satheesan insisted that if the Centre was unresponsive or slow in designating the disaster as severe, the state government should have sought alternative financial solutions for the victims, saying, “You are ensnared by your own bureaucratic red tape.”

Attributing the lack of financial assistance for rehabilitation and relief to the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kunhalikutty also held the state government responsible for losing momentum in supporting victims after the disaster. “You broke the momentum. All you needed to do was coordinate the assistance offered by volunteer organisations and political parties,” he asserted.