Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], September 30 : Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday informed the legislative assembly that the state has not yet received the Rs 260.65 crore in financial assistance reportedly sanctioned by the centre for landslide-hit Wayanad.
Responding during Question Hour, Vijayan recalled that the state had initially sought Rs 2,262 crore from the union government for rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, based on a preliminary assessment. A subsequent Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) pegged the requirement at Rs 2,221.10 crore to support survivors, dependents, and those who lost their livelihood.
The proposal was reviewed by the sub-committee of the National Executive Committee (SC-NEC), which also held discussions with a state-level panel headed by Chief Secretary A Jayathilak.
"It is learnt that the centre has decided to allot financial assistance of Rs 260.65 crore. The amount is yet to be received," the Chief Minister said.
Vijayan reiterated Kerala's demand that the Wayanad landslide be declared both a "national disaster" and a "disaster of severe nature." He added that the state had also sought the intervention of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to restore Section 13 of the Disaster Management Act, which would enable loan waivers for survivors.
"No favourable reply has been received so far," he noted.
Regarding rehabilitation, the Chief Minister stated that work on the township project for survivors is progressing on 64.4705 hectares of land acquired at the Elston Estate.
So far, 295 beneficiaries have given their consent to move into new houses, with an additional 49 added to the list following appeal reviews. The project is expected to be completed by January 2026.