It looks like sheer incompetency and greed by Government of Kerala led to the floods. Absolute disaster in mismanaging the opening of the dam shutters led to the deluge, and whatever be the diversionary tactics adopted by Pinarayi Vijayan and his team, the public knew what happened and who are to be blamed.
The drama enacted by the CPI(M) led Government to mop up as much relief funds in cash as possible, which is certain to be diverted to finance the Fiscal deficit, and to fill Party's coffers is clear to all concerned.
The entire Kuttanad went under water, and that too in August, when the paddy fields are ready for harvesting. Kerala faces a bleak rice shortage. Palghat, the rice bowl, also suffered floods. As do many cash crop growers in the high rangers. It is a pity that a 'so called literate Kerala' did not find it worthwhile to insure their Crops with any of the Crop Insurance Schemes. The Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bhima Yojana coverage in Kerala is a meager 7%. And this is mainly due to poor implementation by the Government. If you have not insured your crop, when opportunity existed, you should not demand compensation, as if it is your birthright.
The same is true for many Middle Class or Upper Middle Class homes. One can understand the poor not insuring their property and valuables, but there should be no excuse for the Middle Class and Upper Middle Class. They have the financial resources to insure, and if they haven't, they should face the consequences.
And the Government could have easily created a scheme where the poor can insure their property for a small premium, with Government bearing a portion of the premium.
The refrain from the Government and its supporters to those who ask unpleasant questions is that, this is not the time to do so, as the focus should be on rehabilitation and reconstruction.
I beg to differ. The floods is already receding from the mind space of those outside Kerala. And in another couple of weeks, no one will be talking about this, as no one does about Chennai floods now. We need to ask pertinent questions and demand answers, here and now. Accountability has to be fixed.
We should not allow Pinarayi Vijayan and his team to go scot free, mop up money from well meaning citizens, and allow them to spend without any transparency. I am afraid a good portion of the money sent to CM's relief fund will not be used for relief, but will be diverted, both by Government and party men.
What is required is to create a Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Fund, with clear guidelines as to how the proceeds can be utilized. But this is not likely to happen.
Modi made his reputation in reconstructing the Kutch area in Gujarat, post the devastating Earth Quake nearly two decades ago. I may sound drastic, but why not think of Sacking the Current Government, implement President's rule, conduct a thorough Enquiry as to the lapses that led to the Floods, set the Rehabilitation and Reconstruction plan in motion, and then, then only, Re-Swear in the LDF Government. You need to get parliamentary ratification only within 6 months. And by then all the work can be executed, and Government re sworn in. This was Kerala benefits from the vast resources available with the Centre, including Army, and normalcy is sure to be restored within months, than years.
Any takers?
