Kerala gets only 25 paisa for each rupee it earns for Centre: Why are BJP rulers "playing politics" over funds?

By Sheshu Babu*
Floods are a common occurrence in India, as imbalance in climate every year causes lot of variation in rainfall geographically. But the floods in Kerala have not only caused havoc on unprecedented scale, but also politics has taken the upper hand over humanitarian aid to the victims.
While the state needs more than Rs 2,000 crore for relief and rehabilitation, the Centre is neither providing necessary assistance, nor allowing other nations and foreign non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to help the state. This is not only petty party politics but also reflection of traditional aversion towards south.
Addressing a press conference, Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee Treasurer (TNCC) Gudur Narayana Reddy said, “...It took more than 10 days for the Centre to declare the Kerala floods as 'severe calamity'. Compared to this, the Centre was quick in declaring ‘natural calamity’ for floods in Uttarakhand...' He added, the Prime Minster should treat all states equally and act above party lines.
The BJP has very little political representation in south India except in some parts of Karnataka, Telengana and Andhra Pradesh. Hence it is not bothering about the devastating floods in Kerala.
Even Rahul Gandhi said that the PM should stop discriminating between BJP ruled states and non- BJP ruled states. He also advised Congress governments in states to come forward and help the people of Kerala in this hour of tragedy. All Congress MPs, MLAs, MLCs should donate one month salary, he said.
The BJP indifferent attitude is deplorable.
CPM leader P Karunakaran said in the Lok Sabha that this is one of the worst floods in the history of Kerala. He expressed displeasure that the Centre has not given the due after devastating cyclone Okhi.
South India has been discriminated against in many ways. Though it has about 20% of India's population, it contributes about 30% of total taxes. Analysing the discriminatory attitude, Vinod Dua explained in Jan Gan Man Ki Baat , Episode 292 (August 22), that South India's share in total GDP is 25% but it gets only 18% in return.
For example, Tamil Nadu contributes one rupee, but it gets only forty paisa, whereas Uttar Pradesh gets one rupee and 80 paisa for every rupee.
Kerala gets only 25 paisa for every rupee it earns for Delhi.
The present finance commission allocates grants according to 2011 census. As South India controlled its population compared to north, much of the money earned by south is consumed by North India.
But, when it comes to assisting coastal states of South India, discrimination prevails. Kerala contributes sizeable amount to GDP, but when the hour of tragedy in the form of severe cyclone or flood comes, the Centre is very late to respond.
With close to 400 or above deaths and lakh of people displaced, wavering on the question of accepting aid from other nations is regrettable. The aid given by the Centre is insufficient, and if it is not able to compensate fully, it should allow other alternatives to assist flood victims so that they receive relief materials without any obstacles quickly.
Citing reasons for non-acceptance of aid as 'below dignity' may be a ridiculous response to natural disaster of mammoth proportions.
---
*Writer from anywhere and everywhere supports equality of all people

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