Priyanka Gandhi urges politics-free relief as Centre sanctions Rs 260 cr for Wayanad landslide

As Wayanad reels from the devastating aftermath of the July 2023 landslides, the Centre’s recent financial sanction has sparked a storm of debate and disappointment.

On Saturday, Congress general secretary and Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad Priyanka Gandhi Vadra voiced her deep concern over the Union government’s allocation of Rs 260.56 crore — a mere fraction of the Rs 2,221 crore requested by Kerala to rebuild the landslide-stricken district.

Taking to the social media platform X, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra lamented, “The people of Wayanad faced a devastating tragedy that demanded compassion, fairness, and urgent relief. Kerala requested Rs 2,221 crore to rebuild lives after the landslide, but the Central government sanctioned only Rs 260 crore — a fraction of what was needed. What they received instead is neglect.”

She further emphasised the human cost of the disaster: “Relief and rehabilitation must rise above politics. Human suffering cannot be treated as a political opportunity. The people of Wayanad deserve nothing less than justice, support, and dignity.”

The people of Wayanad faced a devastating tragedy that demanded compassion, fairness, and urgent relief. Kerala requested ₹2221 crore to rebuild lives after the landslide, but the Central government sanctioned only ₹260 crore — a fraction of what was needed.

The people of…

— Priyanka Gandhi Vadra (@priyankagandhi) October 4, 2025

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The catastrophic landslides of 30 July 2023, left four villages in ruins, injured hundreds, claimed over 200 lives, and left 32 people missing. More than a year later, the Centre has finally sanctioned its first dedicated financial assistance for Wayanad, with a high-level committee chaired by Union Home minister Amit Shah approving Rs 260.56 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). This allocation, however, constitutes only about 11 per cent of the funds identified through the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) for comprehensive reconstruction.

The sanctioned funds are earmarked for the ravaged areas of Mundakkai and Chooralmala. Yet, the meagre package has drawn criticism, especially when compared to relief efforts in other states: Assam, which faced landslides in 2022, received Rs 1,270.78 crore; Uttarakhand Rs 1,658.17 crore; and Himachal Pradesh Rs 2,006.40 crore. Kerala had earlier received Rs 529.50 crore as a disaster relief loan, and an additional Rs 153 crore in July this year.

State leaders, including chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan, had repeatedly appealed for a dedicated rehabilitation package for Wayanad. CM Vijayan personally wrote to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, while a delegation of UDF MPs led by Priyanka Gandhi met Union Home minister Amit Shah to press the demand. Despite these efforts, substantial aid only arrived after prolonged delays.

Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s message comes amid growing criticism from both the ruling Left and the Congress in Kerala, highlighting the perception that Wayanad’s plight has been ignored, even following the Prime Minister’s visit in the disaster’s immediate aftermath.

With the current allocation, the Kerala government is expected to commence the next phase of reconstruction. The Wayanad rehabilitation programme, for which the foundation stone was laid in March 2024, aims to provide 1,000 sq. ft. houses on seven cents of land each to 402 selected beneficiaries. Yet, calls for a larger, more comprehensive package continue, reflecting the scale of devastation and the urgent need to restore the district fully.

In this backdrop, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s plea underscores a broader sentiment: that relief and rehabilitation, in the face of such profound human suffering, must transcend political calculations and manifest as tangible support for those whose lives have been upended.

With IANS inputs