Centre Slashes Kerala’s Mundakkai Disaster Aid from 2,162 Crore to 260 Crore Rupees

Thiruvananthapuram: The central government’s handling of the Mundakkai–Chooralmala landslide has once again exposed its overt political bias against Kerala. The BJP, rather than highlighting the severity of the crisis, issued a statement thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the paltry 260 crore rupees allocated for rehabilitation, describing it as “substantial assistance.” State BJP president Rajeev Chandrasekhar portrayed this minuscule sum as evidence of the government’s commitment to the people of Wayanad, a claim that has drawn sharp criticism from local leaders and residents.

The disaster struck on 30 July last year, yet nearly a year later, the relief provided remains woefully insufficient. Kerala had requested urgent aid of 1,201.12 crore rupees on 17 August to address immediate needs. While other states governed by the BJP or its allies received generous allocations, Kerala’s appeals were largely ignored.

Instead of direct assistance, the Centre extended a loan of 529.50 crore rupees. In February, when 1,555 crore rupees was disbursed to multiple states for disaster management, Mundakkai received nothing. Provisions under the Disaster Management Act, designed to write off debts for victims, were bypassed entirely, depriving Kerala of much-needed relief.

For comprehensive rehabilitation, the Kerala government submitted a detailed plan seeking 2,221.03 crore rupees. This was drastically cut to just 260 crore rupees, which the BJP now presents as a gesture of generosity. By framing such an inadequate sum as “major support,” the party appears to mock the hardships endured by the residents of Wayanad, leaving many to struggle with the long-term consequences of the landslide.