Kerala's Political Rivals Criticize Centre's Rs 529 Crore Loan for Wayanad Landslide Recovery
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Synopsis
Political factions in Kerala, including the CPI(M)-led Left government and Congress-led UDF, have strongly opposed the Centre's recently announced Rs 529 crore loan for Wayanad's landslide rehabilitation, claiming it is an impractical solution and demanding a grant instead.
Key Takeaways
- Wayanad faces challenges with a newly announced loan for recovery.
- Opposition leaders argue that Kerala deserves a grant rather than a loan.
- Deadline for fund utilization is set for March 31 this year.
- Kerala had requested Rs 2,000 crore for rehabilitation efforts.
- The loan has a 50-year repayment period with no interest.
Thiruvananthapuram, Feb 14 (NationPress) Just moments after the Centre declared a loan for the recovery efforts in Wayanad following the catastrophic landslide, political adversaries in Kerala—the CPI(M)
The Centre has communicated to the State Finance Department that a loan of Rs 529.50 crore has been approved for various rehabilitation initiatives in the landslide-stricken Wayanad.
State Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal raised concerns, highlighting that the funding comes with a stringent deadline. “This is a loan, not a grant, and it must be utilized before March 31 this year. This approach is impractical since the funds are designated for infrastructural developments like roads, covering merely 16 specific projects. The timeline is insufficient for effective execution. If the funds were allocated for a longer duration, it would have been manageable,” Balagopal remarked.
He noted that the state had sought a grant of Rs 2,000 crore, and while they would collaborate with departments to optimize the available loan, the limited timeframe presents significant hurdles.
Interestingly, the loan offers a repayment period of 50 years, but without any interest obligation.
Opposition Leader V.D. Satheesan criticized the financial arrangement, labeling it as a “challenge to the citizens of Kerala.” He argued that Kerala had been treated unjustly compared to other states that received grants for similar disasters. “The Centre should have provided a Rs 2,000 crore grant for the rehabilitation of Wayanad. This loan undermines the federal framework our nation is founded on,” Satheesan stated.
He further urged the Centre to amend what he termed a “serious injustice” and announced intentions to organize protests. “We will not stay silent. Leveraging the power of the people, we will protest against this inhumane act of bias,” he added.
Wayanad was hit by a landslide on July 30 last year, ravaging four villages and resulting in 254 fatalities. Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited the affected regions shortly afterwards and assured that the Centre would provide aid, requesting the state government to submit a detailed aid proposal. However, despite repeated requests for a special financial package, the state has only been granted a loan.
