UlanBatori wrote:This is why I keep harping on the scapegoating needed to knock some sense into the Cretinistani guvrmand - and to not be shy about DEMANDING compensation and action. There is a reason why Guvrmand keeps demanding the Centre declare a *National Disaster** etc.
This report in Malayalam clearly reports that one reason for the mega flood was the big gaps on dam & reservoir management. This news paper has an English version, but they have conveniently not done the translation of this news. Because it will not fit the overall agenda of blame game, and passing the buck to the central government. As per this report:-
- The major issue was that no one thought of releasing water on a step by step basis, and finally it was all released at one go when there was no other way out.
- On August 9 water levels were at 2397 ft and the Minister for Power said that the dam would be opened any time from now. But then the Minister for Water Resources said that no way would the dam get opened now. One shutter of the dam was finally opened when the water level was at 2399 ft.
- By August 13 situation at Idukki Dam had become so dangerous that 15 lakh cubic litres of water had to be released every second, in order to bring the water levels under control. By then water from Mullaiperiyar dam had also started entering the catchment area.
- All the shutters at Sabari Giri dam was opened up with no notice at all. Due to this areas like Aranmula, Chengannur (Alappuzha Dt.) and Ranni (Pathanamthitta Dt.) was completely flooded and people taken by surprise.
- TN has control on two dams; Upper Sholayar & Parambikulam. They too opened up the shutters without informing KL who controls another dam downstream - Peringalkutthu. Due to which this dam too had to be opened all of a sudden, which led to the flooding in Chalakkudi and suburbs (in Thrissur Dt.).
- Banasura Sagar Dam in Wayanad (North Kerala) was also opened with no due notice. Even the district collector came to know about the dam opening AFTER the flooding had started.
Philip wrote:However, the aid could be. considerably ramped up when compared with the billions in farm waivers, etc.We know the cost of front- line fighters too .The state could be given a long-term loan on easy repayment terms.
Again from a
Malayalam news paper, and yet again no English translation for this report as well. The report may also give a good picture on the financial position of the state (irrespective of the bravado of KL politicians and camaraderie of UAE etc., while the evil Indian Govt which is messing up things).
1. Kerala plans to levy an
extra cess of 10% on the S.G.S.T component of GST. For this an approval has to come from the Central Govt.
2. State plans to take a loan of Rs 10,500 crores. Currently the amount which a state can take loans is pegged based on the State GDP. 3.5% of the State GDP can be taken as loan. Kerala wants this to be raised to 4.5% of her State GDP. For this to happen
amendment has to be made on the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management Act, 2003 which again has to be done by the central govt.
3. Rs. 2600 crores of extra funding on the MGNREGA (the minimum rural employement act), so that the labour costs involved in building new homes, rebuilding infrastructure etc. can be taken up using the extra funds.
So if you see the state by herself does not have much money to spare. The treasury is pretty much empty. Point #3 seems to be the easiest and logical thing to do, to get things moving. Point #2 again seems to be a strange demand to alter a perfectly working formula. Just because Kerala has a low state GDP, really does not require amendments to a central act. Other states can also then ask for amendments. Point #1 may also work, but again it would be the people in the state who will have to pay a cess.
jpremnath wrote:And to those who think that the public is itching to revolt against the commies (regardless of how much i hate that wretched party), you should know that from ground zero, people are grateful to the state govt, the fishermen, the armed forces and the rest of the country for rushing to its help in such a calamitous event...In fact, its been a big PR disaster for the BJP even among the hindus...and how would i know?.because my folks and family are spread in Alappuzha and Chengannur, the worst hit areas.
Yes, there is truth in what you said and the BJP fans may not be really happy. But; BJP was never in a good position in Kerala at all. And from the way BJP state level leadership (if they have leaders, by the way) behaves smart politicians like A.Shah and Na.Mo may have reprioritised their future plans. I don't think even BJP felt that some deft handling of this sad situation would give them clear majority in next Lok Sabha or state level elections. The state does not have BJP leaders of that calibre. The RSS etc. were active in Kerala, they were active during the floods so there is
status quo.
The Central Govt. (BJP) has actually played the game by the book. Kerala government was looking for an escape route (to lay blame) and a kind of blank cheque on the payments side. Nothing of that seems to be happening. First was the demand of giving every thing over to the Army. Army clearly said no, and asked the civil administration to do the front end part and they would be there to assist. If Kerala Govt. and people expected every single soldier/naval rating/air man to be there with his equipment in Kerala, that was wrong expectations.
When Modi came to the state the hopes were again some huge amount to be released, with again no explanations asked. It was Modi who came with a better plan. Instead of just releasing funds, and hoping that KL government does the job; he promised that his own central agencies would come and fix things at their costs. The state can use funds in her hand for some thing else. Then came the grand plan of help from UAE sheikh and even possible help from UN. If these people were allowed to have a free run in the state, it would only have fuelled more dissent. That was also neatly cut out, when citing past precedence all such "offers for help" (with knife held at the back) was rejected. India can help KL state, and it is now upto that state to decide. If KL acts too uppity here, the BJP can very well play a counter game and say that the state is actually a freeloading state.
Yes, I agree Central Govt. should have released a road map and said what exactly it would do upfront. But the Central Govt. may also have a reasonable expectation that the State Govt. machinery (or rather the political party) would also be responsible enough to work in a uniformity; keeping the country's aim at the highest point. But what happened was that this natural calamity was used to for political purposes. Unreasonbale expectations were allowed to flourish among the KL population, hoping that when they get dejected their anger can be turned against the BJP. So what ever the Central Govt. (or BJP) planned to do, they were all in for practical purpose
"operating in a very hostile territory". They were never going to get due credits, and neither they were going to be given any respect (due to them or other wise).
