NewzVille Desk
Congress MP and AICC General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra today said that the Centre has “not been very forthcoming” in providing financial assistance to survivors of the 2024 landslides in Wayanad, while welcoming rehabilitation initiatives undertaken by various political parties and organisations.
Speaking to the media, Vadra said repeated efforts were made to secure enhanced central support, including raising the issue in Parliament.
She stated that she personally wrote letter to Prime Minister, and met the Union Home Minister along with other MPs from Kerala.
“Unfortunately, the Centre has not been forthcoming, both in funds and in declaring it a national disaster,” she said, while referring to the July 2024 Wayanad landslide tragedy.
She added that although the demand to declare it a national disaster was not accepted, the tragedy was later categorised as a disaster of “severe nature” following representations.
On rehabilitation work, Vadra said she was “very happy” with the progress made and expressed satisfaction with the quality of the houses she had visited. “Anything that is done for those who have survived such a terrible tragedy will make us all happy. I have no adverse comment,” she added.
She noted that governments have greater resources and faster access to clearances and permits but stressed that multiple stakeholders were contributing to relief measures.
She said the Indian National Congress has committed to building 100 houses and recently launched the initiative in the presence of Rahul Gandhi.
She also acknowledged the housing initiative undertaken by the Indian Union Muslim League, describing the rehabilitation drive as a “collective effort” and commending all political parties and the government for their contributions.
Regarding financial contributions to the state government’s township project, she said Congress MPs chose to directly assist victims through independent housing initiatives rather than routing funds through the state government.
“It’s important for us to provide help for the victims, and we are building houses for them ourselves… Everybody has raised funds and contributed to different aspects of relief and rehabilitation work,” she said.
Later, addressing a function organised by the IUML in Thrikkaippatta, the senior Congress leader lauded the “courage and spirit of resilience” shown by survivors and volunteers during the 2024 landslides in the district, as 51 newly constructed houses were handed over to affected families.
The Congress general secretary paid special tribute to the IUML’s 1,000-member youth brigade, known as the ‘White Guard’, for its swift and disciplined rescue operations.
She said she was “amazed” by the structured and efficient response, noting that in her earlier visits to other disaster zones, she had often witnessed chaos and confusion.
Referring to the housing project inaugurated at the event, she said 51 houses had been completed and 54 more were under construction. Plans also include a community hall, prayer halls and playgrounds for children.
