Kerala CM Urges MPs to Raise Key Issues with Centre, Including Wayanad Rehab Aid and Wildlife Act Amendments

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called on the state's Members of Parliament (MPs) to take up several critical issues with the central government, including the approval of amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act and an increase in financial assistance for the rehabilitation of Wayanad's landslide-affected areas.

In an online meeting with MPs and state ministers, Pinarayi Vijayan emphasized that the Kerala state assembly had already made amendments to the central Wildlife Protection Act to address challenges related to preventing animal attacks. He pointed out that the amendments can only take effect after receiving the President's assent and urged the MPs to actively work towards achieving this approval.

Pinarayi Vijayan also asked the MPs to apply pressure on the Centre for a special assistance package of Rs 620 crore under the centrally sponsored scheme aimed at mitigating human-wildlife conflict. Additionally, he requested that the MPs push for an increase in the Centre’s share under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 2.0 and called for the removal of the branding requirement for houses built under this scheme.

Regarding the ongoing rehabilitation of Wayanad, which was severely impacted by landslides, the CM highlighted that Kerala had requested Rs 2,221.03 crore for reconstruction. However, the Centre had only allocated Rs 260.56 crore so far. Pinarayi Vijayan urged the MPs to press the central government for the additional financial support needed for the reconstruction efforts in the region.

The Chief Minister also raised several other issues, including the state's borrowing limit. He asked the MPs to seek an increase in Kerala's borrowing limit to 3.5 percent, restore funds that were cut from Kerala’s borrowing limits in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 budgets, and provide GST compensation for the losses the state has incurred due to GST reforms.

The Chief Minister further requested that the MPs raise concerns regarding the Offshore Areas Atomic Minerals Operating Rights Rules 2025, which were notified without consulting the state governments. He also urged them to seek a waiver of restrictions on food grain allocations and call for the provision of subsidized kerosene for fishermen. In addition, he asked the MPs to push for the establishment of an AIIMS in Kerala.

The CM also asked the MPs to focus on improving rail connectivity in the state. He urged them to push the Centre for reducing rail travel time between Thiruvananthapuram and Kasaragod, expedite the survey work for the Thiruvananthapuram-Mangalore rail line, and approve the Namo Bharat Rapid Rail project on the route. He also requested that the MPs insist on moving forward with other key rail projects, such as the Angamaly-Sabari railway line.