KOZHIKODE/THRISSUR: Home minister Amit Shah criticised Kerala government for an alleged delay in submitting the assessment memo on the Wayanad landslide, in a note sent in response to the representation made by MPs from the state, led by Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, on Wednesday.
They had requested Centre to expedite release of funds for rehabilitation of Mundakkai Chooralmala landslide victims. “State govt inordinately delayed in complying with assurances of PM and didn’t send any assessment memo even after 3.5 months of the incident,” Shah said in the note.
He said the memo was submitted only recently, with an estimate of Rs 2,219 crore for recovery and reconstruction works. Centre immediately constituted an inter-ministerial central team to probe it, and appropriate assistance will be provided, Shah added.
Posting Shah’s reply on her social media handles, Priyanka said disasters should not be about politics, and efforts to support victims of disasters should prioritise humanity and compassion. “The people of Wayanad are looking towards the state and central govts with hope; they don’t need excuses, they need urgent help to be able to rebuild their lives,” she said.