Centre Sanctions Less Than One- Eighth of Requested Funds for Mundakkai- Chooralmala Disaster: CM Pinarayi Vijayan

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has called on the central government to end the perceived neglect of Kerala and provide adequate assistance for those affected by the Mundakkai-Chooralmala disaster.

The disaster struck Meppadi on July 30, 2024. A central assessment team visited the site within ten days, and the Prime Minister personally toured the affected area the following day. Despite over a year having passed, Kerala’s request for urgent relief of 1,202.12 crore rupees remains largely unmet.

The state had also sought loan waivers for disaster-affected families, but no action has been taken. Furthermore, Section 13 of the National Disaster Management Act, which facilitates loan waivers, was removed earlier this year. The central government has informed the High Court that, due to this amendment, loans cannot be waived for the Mundakkai-Chooralmala victims.

Kerala submitted its first memorandum on August 17, 2024, followed by a detailed Post-Disaster Needs Assessment report on November 13, 2024, both while Section 13 was still in effect. The Gazette notification removing the provision was issued only on March 29 this year, which does not have retrospective effect. Nevertheless, the Centre maintains that no further assistance can be provided.

The state also faced delays in the declaration of the event as a “severe disaster,” taking five months, a move that curtailed potential international aid. According to official norms, reconstruction assistance of 2,221.03 crore rupees is required. The Centre has so far sanctioned only 260.56 crore rupees, less than one-eighth of the requested amount.

Protests have erupted across the state against what is being viewed as a discriminatory decision. In response, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan urged the Centre to recognise the rights of the state and disaster-affected residents and to provide the aid they are entitled to without further delay.