Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], January 23 (HBTV): Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday informed the State Assembly that INR 712 crore has been received in the relief fund so far in connection with the Wayanad landslide.

The Chief Minister also told the Assembly that more help is expected as the central government has declared the disaster a very severe disaster. INR 2,221 crore has been requested from the central government. The Chief Minister clarified that no financial assistance has been received from the central government so far and that it will not be possible to provide agricultural land to the disaster victims.

‘Land will be purchased for the township in Wayanad and houses will be built here in such a way that an additional floor can be built in the future. Those who want to live outside the township being built by the government will be given INR 15 lakh. The government will pay the rent of the houses until the resettlement is completed. Money has been allocated for that,’ he said.

The Chief Minister acknowledged that central assistance has been delayed but expressed hope of receiving it. He was responding to questions raised by the Leader of the Opposition in the House, VD Satheesan, and opposition MLAs.

However, Satheesan alleged that the rehabilitation process remains uncertain.

‘Even six months after the disaster, the injured have not been provided with medical assistance. The treatment of the seriously injured is being done using money from their own pockets,’ the LoP said.

He also alleged that the estimated cost of INR 30 lakh for constructing a house is high and that many sponsors are withdrawing. Many are willing to build houses at a cost of INR 20 lakh or less, he added.

The Chief Minister explained that the INR 30 lakh estimate for constructing a house is preliminary and that the cost would decrease when houses are built together. He expressed hope that this approach would reduce the cost to INR 20 lakh.

The Chief Minister clarified that a letter was sent to all MPs across the country seeking help for the disaster, requesting each MP to contribute INR 1 crore. (ANI)