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Tharoor backs Priyanka Gandhi's request to convert Wayanad landslide relief fund into grant

ANI February 25, 2025 218 views

Congress leaders Shashi Tharoor and Priyanka Gandhi are challenging the central government's approach to Kerala's Wayanad landslide relief efforts. They argue that the Rs 529.50 crore relief package is inadequate and comes with unfair conditions, including disbursing funds as a loan with a strict spending deadline. Tharoor publicly supported Gandhi's request to convert the relief funds into a grant and extend the spending timeline. The MPs emphasize the urgent need for sensitive and comprehensive support for communities devastated by the July 30, 2024 disaster.

"The victims of Kerala's worst disaster deserve no less!" - Shashi Tharoor
Thiruvananthapuram, February 25: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has supported Priyanka Gandhi's recent appeal to convert the funds that have been disbursed as a loan into a grant and extend the spending deadline for the victims of the disaster.

Key Points

1

Priyanka Gandhi requests unconditional financial assistance for landslide victims

2

Tharoor supports converting relief loan to grant

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Relief package criticized for restrictive conditions

4

Urgent support needed for affected Kerala communities

Tharoor took to the social media platform X, Tharoor wrote, "Strongly support the request from Priyanka Gandhi to convert the government's Wayanad landslide relief from a loan to a grant, and to extend the deadline to spend it. The victims of Kerala's worst disaster deserve no less!"

This come after Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi had written a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, equesting urgent and unconditional financial assistance for the victims of the devastating landslide that struck Chooralmala and Mundakkai in the district of Kerala on July 30, 2024.

In her letter she had termed the relief as "inadequate" and expressed disappointment over the conditions attached to the funds.

"After continuous urging from the MPs of Kerala, the central government has recently announced a relief package of 529.50 crore for the victims of the devastation. Apart from the fact of its inadequacy, it is unprecedented that the package comes with two conditions: first that the funds shall be disbursed, not as a grant as is the norm, but as a loan, and second, that they should be spent in their entirety by the 31st of March, 2025," the Congress MP said.

"These conditions are not only immensely unfair, but they also display a shocking lack of sensitivity towards the people of Chooralmala and Mundakkai who have suffered such shattering losses," she added.

Highlighting the immense loss of lives, livelihoods, and infrastructure, she expressed disappointment over the inadequacy of the recently announced Rs 529.50 crore relief package, which comes with restrictive conditions.

"As the MP for Wayanad Lok Sabha, I felt it my duty to apprise you of the plight of the people of Chooralmala and Mundakkai in my constituency. It is indeed heart-breaking that even six months after a horrific tragedy destroyed their lives and livelihoods, they are facing unimaginable hardships while trying to rebuild their lives," she said.

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