Central loan for Wayanad rehabilitation: Conditions are scary, a cruel joke, says Kerala Revenue Minister
The Hindu
Kerala Revenue Minister criticizes Centre's loan conditions for Wayanad rehabilitation, calling them "scary" and a "cruel joke."
Kerala Revenue Minister K. Rajan on Saturday (February 15, 2025) said that the loan of ₹529.50 crore sanctioned by the Centre for Wayanad rehabilitation carries conditions which were "scary" and a "cruel joke".
The Minister said that it indicates that “there is no change in the stance” of the Central government towards the landslide victims in Wayanad and Kerala.
Speaking to reporters here, Mr. Rajan said that instead of giving unconditional financial assistance rightfully deserved by Kerala, the Centre only gave a loan with stringent conditions, including utilisation of the entire amount by March 31.
"The conditions which are part of the loan are scary. Directing the State to utilise the entire amount within the next 45 days, by March 31, is a cruel joke," the Minister said.
Meanwhile, speaking to a TV channel in Wayanad, some of the disaster-affected persons said they were disappointed by the development and said that the Centre and the State were “throwing them like a ball from one court to another.”
"We had great hopes when the Prime Minister came here and promised all help for the rehabilitation work. But only a loan has been given to the State by the Central government. We have no other option but to hold protests and agitations," they said.
On Friday, Kerala Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal had termed the stipulation, to utilise the amount by March 31, as a "huge practical problem."
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