Centre always neglected us in times of need: CM

Kozhikode: Chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan again lashed out at the Centre for denying aid to Kerala in the aftermath of Wayanad landslides and said that even after PM Narendra Modi visited Mundakkai and Chooralmala's disaster-hit areas, Centre persisted with its negative stand. Vijayan said the govt's model township for Wayanad's disaster victims would soon become a reality.

At the district-level review meet, held as part of ‘Ente Keralam' programme, Vijayan said that state govt had to go through a series of unprecedented crises, like Nipah, Ockhi, 2018 floods, a pandemic and Wayanad landslides. He said it is the Centre's responsibility to assist a state during such times. He added that Centre not only failed to provide aid but also stopped those who came forward to help.

"We did not collapse… We survived. Our people stood together, which amazed the nation and the world. This was possible due to the unity and solidarity of our people," he added.

"Why is Centre adopting such a stand towards Kerala. While some had raised technical grounds that they should receive post-disaster needs assessment, we saw Centre providing aid to states like Tripura without it. Centre provided aid to states like Bihar in anticipation that there could be a disaster. We are not against it. But our question is why Kerala is not eligible?" he asked.

He said Modi, who received foreign aid when he was the CM of Gujarat after a natural disaster, took a stand that Kerala cannot receive foreign aid. Vijayan added that after 2018 floods, many foreign countries came forward to help Kerala, but the central government took the stand that it would not accept such aid. "If it is out of false prestige and as part of the stand that the county had resources of its own, then Centre should have come forward to help, which it did not," he said.

‘CM hands over 123 homes to tribal families'

At Meppadi, Vijayan handed over the keys of 123 homes that were constructed for landless tribal families at Paroorkunnu at a cost of Rs 9.9 crore. Each home was constructed on 10 cents at a cost of Rs 6 lakh for beneficiaries from Meppadi, Muttil and Muppainad panchayats.

The keys were handed over at the district-level review meeting held at Chandragiri auditorium as part of the govt's fourth anniversary celebrations. ST development and soil conservation departments constructed these homes on 36 acres. Each home, having an area of 480 sq ft, has two bedrooms, hall, kitchen, toilet and 37 sq ft work area.

Under the project basic infrastructure, including power and water, have been set up. KWA gave water connection to each home at a cost of Rs 1 crore while KSEB gave power connections at a cost of Rs 41.5 lakh. Another 42 homes are being constructed at the site.

In the next phase, an anganwadi, a park for children, library, health centre, community hall and a vocational centre will be constructed.