Leader of the Opposition Ramesh Chennithala’s visit to the flood-ravaged Chengannur and Haripad on Wednesday saw a large number of people turning up to air their grievances.
Mr. Chennithala received around 5,000 complaints from different parts of the Chengannur region alone. After speaking to a good number of the victims at the Kudumbayoga hall at Mundancavu, he said the State government had failed to provide relief to the flood victims.
“The State government is a total failure. It has done nothing for the flood-affected. Four months after the deluge, a large number of people are yet to receive the financial assistance of ₹10,000 announced by the government. It is delaying distribution of emergency aid. People who lost houses are still staying in relief camps and homes of their relatives. The government is not doing enough to rehabilitate them,” Mr. Chennithala said.
Traders, farmers
The Opposition Leader demanded that the government compensate traders, farmers and others who lost their livelihood due to the floods. “Traders and farmers are reeling from the damage caused by the deluge. They remain sceptical about the government’s promise of compensation,” he said.
Mr. Chennithala said the government had no idea on how to generate funds for the reconstruction of the flood-ravaged State.
“The total estimated cost of rehabilitation is around ₹35,000 crore. The Centre is only giving ₹6,000 crore. There is no clarity on the part of the State government on how to generate the rest of amount. It has decided to invite a global tender to find an agency for preparing a project for the rehabilitation. This will result in an inordinate delay in rehabilitation efforts,” the Opposition Leader said.
United Democratic Front district chairman M. Murali presided. All India Congress Committee secretary P.C. Vishnunath, District Congress Committee president M. Liju and others were present at the meeting.