Kerala CM lays foundation stone of township for Wayanad landslide victims
Pinarayi Vijayan also took a swipe at the Centre for its alleged reluctance in lending financial assistance for the rehabilitation of survivors.
Eight months after multiple landslides killed over 260 people and left more than 2,500 homeless in Wayanad’s Meppadi, Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday laid the foundation stone for the first model township as part of the rehabilitation programme for the survivors.
The township, to be built over 64.4 hectares in Elstone estate near Kalpetta town, will comprise 430 homes with 1,000 sqft area in seven-cent (one cent is 435.56 sqft) plots each. Apart from the homes, the township will have facilities such as a market, an anganwadi, play areas for kids, overhead water tank, sewage facilities, community centre and public toilets, officials said.
The state government deposited ₹26.5 crore as compensation for the owners of the Elstone tea estate for the land acquisition deal. The second model township is expected to be built in Nedumbala tea estate in Meppadi.
At an event held in the Elstone estate on Thursday, CM Vijayan pulled the curtains off a plaque signifying the start of the construction work. The event was attended by ministers K Rajan, PV Mohammed Riyas, Kadannappalli Ramachandran, leader of the opposition VD Satheesan, deputy leader of opposition PK Kunhalikutty and Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, among others.
“If people stand with us, there is no challenge that we can’t win over. No tragedy can defeat Kerala. We are confident that the unity of our minds, coupled with the ideals of humanity and solidarity, can rise over all differences. That’s the message that this rehabilitation project sends,” the CM said.
Vijayan also took a swipe at the Centre for its alleged reluctance in lending financial assistance for the rehabilitation of survivors.
“We expected assistance from the Union government as a principal source of funding. Unfortunately, we didn’t get much apart from an extremely inadequate loan which we will have to pay back. We don’t know if we can look forward to expecting any assistance based on past experiences. But even in the absence of assistance from the Union government, the State went forward in preparing a rehabilitation plan and everyone cooperated,” the CM said.
The central government last month approved an interest-free loan of ₹529.50 crore under the Scheme for Special Assistance to State for capital investment. Kerala had put forward the costs of rehabilitation of survivors at ₹2,262 crore. The Centre also told the Kerala high court this week that it has not decided to waive off the existing loans of the landslide victims.
Satheesan, meanwhile, has promised “unconditional support” from the opposition towards the rehabilitation efforts.
“There are children who have been orphaned. There are people who have lost means of livelihood and are unable to pursue any jobs in the future. There are families who have lost their principal earners. We asked the government to ensure a sense of community life in the township. That will come true. There have been some delays in preparing the lists of beneficiaries. But now, without any more delays, this project must be implemented in a time-bound manner,” the Congress leader said.
Priyanka Gandhi said she was awed by the “greatness and the strength of the human spirit” in the way people responded to the tragedy and assured that the country stood with the survivors.
“What you have been through is immense. You have lost those who wove the fabrics of your lives. Fathers, mothers, children, grandparents, best friends, colleagues. You have not just been displaced, your entire lives got washed away. But your businesses, jobs and everything. Homes and schools. So, when we talk of compensation, we are aware that nothing can compensate you for the pain and suffering you have faced,” she said.
“We as a society will make all efforts to help you rebuild your lives and to show you that there is hope in the future. This township is the first and most important step towards showing you that hope,” she added.
The Uralungal Labour Contract Co-operative Society (ULCCS), which is constructing the township, has promised its completion by the year-end.
