Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan stated in the Assembly on Tuesday that although the Centre has reportedly sanctioned ₹260.65 crore in financial assistance for landslide-hit Wayanad, the state is yet to receive the amount.
Speaking during Question Hour, Vijayan recalled that Kerala had initially sought ₹2,262 crore from the union government for the rehabilitation of survivors and the reconstruction of the affected regions, based on a preliminary assessment. This figure was later refined in a comprehensive Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) report, which estimated the requirement at ₹2,221.10 crore to cover the rehabilitation of dependents and those who lost their livelihood.
The matter was considered by the Sub-Committee of the National Executive Committee (SC-NEC), which held discussions with a state-level panel that included Chief Secretary Dr A Jayathilak. "It is learnt that the Centre has decided to allot a financial assistance of ₹260.65 crore. The amount is yet to be received," Vijayan informed the House.
The Chief Minister reiterated that Kerala had also urged the Centre to declare the Wayanad landslide a "national disaster" and a "disaster of severe nature." Furthermore, the state sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s intervention to restore Section 13 of the Disaster Management Act to allow for loan waivers for survivors, but noted that "no favourable reply has been received so far."
Providing an update on the state's ongoing rehabilitation efforts, Vijayan confirmed that the township project for survivors is progressing on 64.475 hectares of land acquired by the government at Elston estate. A total of 295 beneficiaries have given their consent to move into the new houses, with 49 more added to the list following the scrutiny of appeals. The project is expected to be completed by January 2026.
Also read: Kerala Assembly passes resolution against SIR
Follow us
