The Hindu Business Line : Kerala Minister contests Central claim on relief funds

THE Revenue Minister, K.M. Mani, has contested the Union Home Ministry's claim that the State's plea for more drought relief was not considered owing to its failure to spend funds released earlier for the purpose.

An official quoted Mr Mani as saying that the State had approached the Centre in January this year seeking a special assistance of Rs 1,359.03 crore in drought relief. It had submitted a revised memorandum in April, which had scaled up the drought relief required to Rs 2,845 crore.

However, a Central fact-finding team that had visited the State in the interregnum, had recommended assistance to the tune of Rs 49 crore in response to the first memorandum and another Rs 29 crore on the basis of the second.

Their assessment of the ground reality did not do any justice to the State's predicament, which was unparalleled at least in respect of damage inflicted by calamitous weather on standing crops. Loss due to landslips and floods was not accounted for, as it should have been.

The State was eligible for assistance of Rs 81 crore this year from the Calamity Relief Fund alone, the Minister said.

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Kerala Minister contests Central claim on relief funds