The question of the inadequate relief fund support and further rejection of the national disaster title brings back the rift in centre-state relations. The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has referred to a rule from the UPA government to oppose labelling the Wayanad landslides a national disaster. The Home Affairs Ministry of State (MoS) has turned down the plea to categorize the landslides as a national disaster, arguing that such a designation is not allowed under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) rules. Further, the MoS stated that the state government has sufficient funds to manage the crisis.
The Landslides
The landslides occurred in Wayanad, a district in Kerala, on July 30, 2024. The area around Mundakkai was hit by 572 mm of rain in just 48 hours, leading to the collapse of hillsides. This resulted in the deaths of at least 250 individuals and the destruction of numerous homes.
The state government of Kerala asked the federal government to declare the landslides a national disaster and to offer aid for the recovery process.
The federal government’s reply was that it believes the state government is primarily responsible for handling disasters. Its role is to supply financial and logistical aid to assist the state’s disaster management activities.
For the fiscal year 2024-25, the federal government has set aside Rs 388 crore for the state government. Additionally, it has disbursed Rs 291.20 crore in two parts ahead of schedule. The state government also has a disaster relief fund of Rs 394.99 crore.
The Question of Funds and Recognition
The denial of the recognitions, triggered a variety of responses from ministers within the Kerala cabinet, as well as leaders from the Opposition. The Kerala government has accused the federal government of a deliberate plot to withhold assistance from the victims of the catastrophic Wayanad landslide. The landslide, which took place in July, resulted in the loss of over 230 lives, with 47 individuals still missing, and the destruction of significant areas in three villages in Wayanad.
Despite numerous appeals from the state, the federal government has refused to classify the disaster as a “national disaster” and allocate the necessary funds for rehabilitation.
Kerala’s Revenue Minister, K Rajan, criticized the federal government for what he described as intentional neglect. “We are not pleading for charity; we are asserting our legitimate rights,” Rajan declared, dismissing the federal government’s claim that there were sufficient funds available in the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). He accused the federal government of misleading the public and adopting an antagonistic stance towards Kerala.
The minister also highlighted that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit to Wayanad, failed to provide any tangible relief, despite raising expectations. “The federal government has completely overlooked Kerala’s repeated calls for justice,” he added.
In his letter, the Minister of State for Home justified the federal government’s decision by stating that according to current guidelines, no calamity can be declared a “national disaster.” However, Kerala’s Finance Minister KN Balagopal criticized this rationale, calling it discriminatory.
Balagopal accused the federal government of showing hostility towards Kerala and its citizens.These allegations gained political momentum, with Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra accusing the BJP government of engaging in political games. Priayanka Gandhi alleged that the federal government was withholding aid for political motives, echoing similar actions during other disasters in Himachal Pradesh.
State Congress President K Sudhakaran also condemned the federal government’s refusal to classify the landslides as a national disaster. He described the action as discriminatory and politically motivated.
Sudhakaran alleged that the political bias from the federal government was rooted in Wayanad’s connections with Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka. He pledged that the Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) would organize extensive protests against what he termed a “betrayal,” demanding that the government approve a special relief package for Wayanad, asserting it as a rightful claim rather than charity.
