Centre yet to declare Kerala floods as National disaster

Even as the massive scale of the tradedy that has stuck the small state of Kerala in the form of relentless floods is unfolding, the Indian government at the centre has not yet declared it as a national disaster. This is shocking to many who feel that the ruling government is neglecting its duty at the time of crisis.

PM Modi visits Kerala, announces paltry 500 crore relief

The Prime Minister conducted an aerial survey of the state, and announced an additional assistance of Rs 500 crore to the state.

The Centre had earlier announced a total of Rs 260 crore as relief for Kerala on 14th August. In the Home minister Rajnath Singh first visit announced that Rs 100 crore will be immediately given to the state.

He also announced an ex gratia payment of Rs 2,00,000 per person to the next kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured from the PM’s National Relief Fund (PMNR).

However Modi did not declare the tragedy as a national disaster which fact left many experts, relief workers from the ground, wondering if this was due to political considerstions. Also sanctioning only 500 crores, when the state had requested 2,000 crore was seen as highly inadequate.