Thiruvananthapuram, February 7: CPI Rajya Sabha member P. Sandosh Kumar has written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, expressing concern over the lack of special assistance from the central government following the devastating landslide in Wayanad, Kerala, in July 2024. He criticized the government’s response, labeling it as lacking in humanitarian sensitivity.
In his letter, Sandosh Kumar recalled the catastrophic landslide that occurred on July 30, 2024, affecting the areas around Churalmala, Mundakkai, and Meppadi panchayats in Wayanad district. This natural disaster claimed over 400 lives, injured hundreds, and left thousands of families homeless. Additionally, it caused significant damage to homes, livelihoods, and public infrastructure, with total losses estimated in the hundreds of crores.
He stated that this was one of the largest tragedies in Kerala’s recent history, necessitating immediate, unconditional, and adequate support from the central government and the National Disaster Management Authority. However, despite the Kerala government’s interventions and appeals from several MPs in Parliament, the central government has refused to provide any special package or grant assistance. Sandosh Kumar described this as shocking insensitivity towards the victims.
The letter also highlighted that despite the lack of support from the center, Kerala’s LDF government has remained united and resolute. Despite the state’s weak financial condition, collective efforts and public cooperation have facilitated the rehabilitation of all affected families. He noted that the construction of permanent model homes equipped with essential amenities, community infrastructure, and livelihood support in the rehabilitation colonies is nearly complete and will be handed over to the affected families within a year and a half.
Sandosh Kumar mentioned that he recently visited these rehabilitation colonies with LDF leaders, and photographs were attached to the letter for reference.
He accused the central government of providing only loan assistance during this humanitarian crisis, reflecting the limitations of BJP’s political agenda. He asserted that the disaster and public suffering have been exploited to economically suppress the state due to Kerala’s consistent rejection of the BJP’s agenda.
The CPI MP concluded that this incident demonstrates that despite the central government’s indifference, the people of Kerala remain united, strong, and self-reliant under LDF leadership. He emphasized that a federal system can only succeed when disaster relief is provided based on constitutional duty rather than political considerations. Sandosh Kumar urged the Union Home Minister and the NDA government to seriously reconsider this biased approach and adhere to fairness, federal responsibility, and humanitarian values.