Date:13/08/2004 URL: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/2004/08/13/stories/2004081301421900.htm

Back Kerala denounces Pawar's remark on drought impact

Our Bureau

`It is our right to seek assistance but the downright denial doesn't reflect well on the Centre.'

Thiruvananthapuram , Aug. 12

KERALA has taken strong exception to the statement of the Union Agriculture Minister, Mr Sharad Pawar, that sought to "belittle the impact of drought" by way of "unfair comparison" with other afflicted States.

According to the State Revenue Minister, Mr K.M. Mani, the Union Minister's observation that the drought impact in Kerala was "less when compared with other parts of the country" was as inappropriate as it was unfortunate. Speaking to newspersons here, Mr Mani said the agriculture sector in the State alone had suffered a loss of Rs 2,000 crore.

The Centre has not released a single paisa from the National Calamity Fund even after repeated requests were made. "It is our right to seek such assistance but the downright denial doesn't reflect well on the Centre," Mr Mani said. A Cabinet Sub-Committee from the State had submitted a memorandum seeking Rs 3,747 crore as drought relief from the Centre.

According to Mr Mani, Mr Pawar's statement was made in haste without applying the mind to the gravity of the situation that prevailed in the State during the time of drought earlier this year and a rampaging monsoon as of late.

It also exposed the absolute lack of coordination between various Ministries involved, such as Agriculture, Commerce and Finance. That too at a time when a high-level Central team is expected to tour the State to assess the state of affairs after having been specifically told to do so by the Prime Minister.

Replying to a specific question, Mr Mani admitted the State was made to bear the brunt of extreme weather on both sides of the normal, as was the case this year, when a drought during the summer scorched the earth, which was followed by devastating floods and land slips during the southwest monsoon.

Standing crops suffered extensive damage on both occasions, the cumulative effect of which was quite unlike the situation obtaining anywhere else in the country.

The Minister denied that the State Government had not followed the norms while preparing the memorandum seeking Central assistance.