THIRUVANANTHAPURAM : Finance Minister Thomas Isaac criticised Centre’s attitude in funding matters saying, refusing disaster relief funds on grounds of accounts is gross injustice on part of the central government. Kerala continues to struggle after devastation from two major floods and at end of the financial year, the Centre looks for ways to distress it more, he said.
The Centre claims that funds released for the massive 2018 floods lie unutilised. Incidentally, funds are not distributed per head. Rebuilding houses is the first priority. Two installments have been released towards this. The remaining would be disbursed only on completion of the abodes.
Projects, including reconstruction of roads is under progress. In this case too, monies are disbursed upon post-work bills submitted to the govt. There is no diversion of funds at any point, said the minister. The parameters spelt by the Centre do not match needs of the State, he pointed out
The State govt provides Rs 4 lakh for each house destroyed by floods or landslide while the Centre limits its contribution for the purpose to just Rs 1 lakh. The rest is drawn from Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund. Similarly, Centre’s funding towards road rebuilding works to just 10 percent of the costs involved. Yet the delay in these projects is not undue.
The Centre could, in fairness, adopt the policy of disbursing lump sum funds initially and making later releases based on record of expenditures submitted by State from time to time. Projects funded by proceeds received post the first floods is in progress. Accounts indicating Rs 2000 crore required towards 2019 floods has been presented to the Centre.
The Centre maintains a vengeful attitude when it comes to releasing funds due to Kerala, Isaac said. The Centre has yet to pay up Rs 1000 crore towards warehousing paddy in the State. The Centre is also mum on Rs 1300 in pending wages of the Employment Guarantee Scheme. The State has not received Rs 1600 core in GST compensation due to it either. To top it all, the Centre slashed borrowing limits of the State by Rs 10,000 crore, said the Finance Minister.
