Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has criticized the Union Government for delaying financial assistance to Wayanad, which was severely affected by landslides in July. Nearly 400 people were killed in the disaster, and despite 100 days passing since Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the affected villages, the state has not received any financial aid for rehabilitation. The Centre has been swift in helping other disaster-hit states, but Kerala’s requests for aid have been ignored, according to Vijayan.

In response to Union Home Minister Amit Shah’s claim that Kerala failed to submit the necessary reports, Vijayan dismissed the accusation, stating that the Centre had misled Parliament on multiple occasions. Kerala had submitted a Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) report on November 13, but it has not been acknowledged for financial assistance.

Vijayan also pointed out the discrepancy between Kerala’s situation and the quicker relief granted to states like Tripura and Telangana, despite the lesser severity of their disasters. Kerala’s chief concern is the non-sanctioning of emergency assistance, even after submitting a comprehensive report and a memorandum requesting Rs 1,202 crore. Vijayan has urged the central government to take immediate action and provide the necessary funds for relief and rehabilitation.