Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday attacked the Central government over the financial aid package given to flood-hit Kerala and said that the government should have given more aid which is the right of the state people.
Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday attacked the Central government over the financial aid package given to flood-hit Kerala and said that the government should have given more aid which is the right of the state people.
Gandhi made the remarks while speaking to reporters during his two-day visit to Kerala to take a stock of the situation.
The Centre has so far released Rs 600 crore for Kerala. According to officials, Kerala may have to wait a few months to get the complete financial aid package from the Centre as the process of assessing the extent of damage and fund release is time-consuming.
"I have come here as a support and not to politicize the situation. I will not comment on the nature of this crisis," said Gandhi when asked if Kerela floods is a man-made crisis.
Stating that he has visited a large number of camps yesterday, he said, "People are worried. I spoke to Kerela CM too. It is important that the government gives a sense to the people that it is going to help rebuild the houses. Compensation promised should be delivered quickly."
Gandhi also said that the extent of support that Central government has given should be more. "This is owed to the people of Kerala. It is their right. I am sad that the Central government has not given as much aid as they should."
On Tuesday, visiting the flood-ravaged areas of Alappuzha, Ernakulam and Thrissur districts, Gandhi termed the devastating deluge which claimed several lives and displaced many as a 'very big tragedy.'
With Kerala inching towards normalcy after the rain mayhem a fortnight ago, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said the government would soon come out with an action plan to rebuild the state, which has suffered a loss much more than the estimated Rs 20,000 crore.
At Kuttanad, known as the state's rice bowl, around 70,000 people today took part in the massive clean-up drive to remove silt and debris dumped by the floods. The region, which is below the sea level, has several areas still inundated.
The Kochi international airport, which was forced to stop its operations since August 14 following flooding, will commence services today afternoon.
The central government has announced that it would not accept any assistance from a foreign government, which created a huge controversy after Kerala chief minister claimed that the United Arab Emirates had offered to give Rs 700 crore as assistance to his state.
According to data released this morning by the Disaster Management's state control room, 474 people have died in the rains and floods since May 29 when the southwest monsoon set in over Kerala.
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 "Rahul Gandhi at flood relief camp")
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