Title: Requests the Central Government to send a team for assessing the losses due to land slide in Idukki District, Kerala and need to compensate the farmers.
SHRI P.C. CHACKO (IDUKKI): Sir, I would like to raise a very important issue which I had been waiting to raise for the last four, five days.
On the midnight of last Saturday, a devastating land slide which affected the Idukki District, that is on the high ranges of Kerala, washed away 300 houses causing wide-spread destruction to life and property. Unfortunately, this has been a regular story in the district of Idukki which I represent in Parliament. Land slides and torrential rains are almost a continuous phenomena. During this monsoon season in Idukki, 300 houses have been washed away and 100 acres of land has been completely destroyed. Now for the next ten to fifteen years, farmers may not be able to do any cultivation there. Unfortunately, the compensation that is being given by the State Government is quite inadequate. For the total loss of a house, the compensation given by the State Government is to the extent of Rs.2,000 to Rs.3,000. In case of a loss of life, the compensation amount given by the State Government is Rs.20,000 to Rs.25,000. The release of sufficient compensation by the Central Government through the Calamity Relief Fund, is not being made available to the State Government. The State Government is not providing any help in this regard.
Due to land slides and the erosion of soil, the land has totally become uncultivable. This is a serious situation. Sufficient compensation may be given by the Central Government.
I raised this issue in the House when another incident took place. I would request the Government to send a delegation to the affected area. I have written a letter to the Prime Minister requesting him to send a team of officials from the Calamity Relief Fund to the State Government for assessing the extent of loss and to provide compensation to the farmers. This is a very serious issue affecting the farmers of the Idukki District. Last week, it happened in Sithathode in Raani.
Sir, last week, in Mariyapuram, Vazhthope, Kanjikuzhi and Vatthukkudy, a widespread destruction happened. So, I once again request the Central Government to send a team for assessing this loss and to compensate the farmers. Thank you.
MR. SPEAKER: Now, we come to the next item, discussion on the Jain Report.
… (Interruptions)