Wayanad’s Cry for Help: Kerala’s Quest to Overcome Disaster Without Central Aid
Clarification on Wayanad Disaster Expenditure
Thiruvananthapuram: The Chief Minister’s office has issued a press release to address the misconceptions surrounding the expenditure on various items related to the Wayanad disaster.
The state government had submitted a memorandum to the central government seeking immediate further assistance to deal with the disaster, specifying preliminary estimates of expenditure required for various matters. However, the media has been misrepresenting these figures as the actual amount spent in the disaster area.
This misrepresentation distorts the requirements of the memorandum prepared in accordance with the rules of the National Disaster Response Fund. It undermines the efforts of the state government to get central assistance in connection with the Wayanad landslide disaster.
The state government is being misrepresented by quoting the memorandum, which is against the interests of the state. The aim is to undermine the state’s plans to rebuild Wayanad and deny disaster victims the assistance they deserve.
The order passed by the Hon’ble High Court on the Churalmala disaster petition has clearly explained the matter. The assessment prepared as per SDRF criteria is not the total amount spent or lost in the Churalmala disaster, but a rough estimate of the amount reimbursable to Kerala under the Disaster Management Act prepared by the Central Government.
A memorandum for emergency disaster relief is prepared and submitted based on preliminary estimates and projected costs, including ongoing rescue operations. This is not an estimate of the amount spent, but a petition prepared in advance, which includes rescue and rehabilitation of the disaster area.
The media is urged to correct the misinformation and provide accurate reporting on the Wayanad disaster expenditure.