Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday criticized the Central government for not waiving off loans of Wayanad landslide victims and said it has no hesitation in waiving off loans of big businesses.
In a statement issued by the party, Priyanka was reacting to the central government’s stand in the Kerala High Court that it cannot waive the loans of the Wayanad landslide victims.
Priyanka, Congress MP from Wayanad, said she completely agreed with the High Court’s observation that the Center had failed the victims in their time of need.
The Kerala High Court on Wednesday had sharply remarked that the Central government had ‘virtually failed’ the victims of the 2024 Wayanad landslide by not exercising its power to waive off their loans.
Leader of Opposition in Kerala Assembly V.D. Satheesan also expressed disagreement with the Centre’s stand and termed it a ‘wrong step’. He said that the landslide victims have all kinds of debts, but have no source of income or assets. He said, ‘In such circumstances it becomes necessary to waive the loan.’
On July 30 last year, a major landslide had occurred in Mundakkai and Churalmala areas, almost completely destroying both the areas. More than 200 people lost their lives and hundreds were injured in this disaster.