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

Comments

Grueling summer ahead: Cuttack’s alarming health trends and what they mean for Odisha

By Sudhansu R Das The preparation to face the summer should begin early in Odisha. People in the state endure long, grueling summer months starting from mid-February and extending until the end of October. This prolonged heat adversely affects productivity, causes deaths and diseases, and impacts agriculture, tourism and the unorganized sector. The social, economic and cultural life of the state remains severely disrupted during the peak heat months.

Stronger India–Russia partnership highlights a missed energy breakthrough

By N.S. Venkataraman* The recent visit of Russian President Vladimir Putin to India was widely publicized across several countries and has attracted significant global attention. The warmth with which Mr. Putin was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi was particularly noted, prompting policy planners worldwide to examine the implications of this cordial relationship for the global economy and political climate. India–Russia relations have stood on a strong foundation for decades and have consistently withstood geopolitical shifts. This is in marked contrast to India’s ties with the United States, which have experienced fluctuations under different U.S. administrations.

From natural farming to fair prices: Young entrepreneurs show a new path

By Bharat Dogra There have been frequent debates on agro-business companies not showing adequate concern for the livelihoods of small farmers. Farmers’ unions have often protested—generally with good reason—that while they do not receive fair returns despite high risks and hard work, corporate interests that merely process the crops produced by farmers earn disproportionately high profits. Hence, there is a growing demand for alternative models of agro-business development that demonstrate genuine commitment to protecting farmer livelihoods.

The Vande Mataram debate and the politics of manufactured controversy

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The recent Vande Mataram debate in Parliament was never meant to foster genuine dialogue. Each political party spoke past the other, addressing its own constituency, ensuring that clips went viral rather than contributing to meaningful deliberation. The objective was clear: to construct a Hindutva narrative ahead of the Bengal elections. Predictably, the Lok Sabha will likely expunge the opposition’s “controversial” remarks while retaining blatant inaccuracies voiced by ministers and ruling-party members. The BJP has mastered the art of inserting distortions into parliamentary records to provide them with a veneer of historical legitimacy.

A comrade in culture and controversy: Yao Wenyuan’s revolutionary legacy

By Harsh Thakor* This year marks two important anniversaries in Chinese revolutionary history—the 20th death anniversary of Yao Wenyuan, and the 50th anniversary of his seminal essay "On the Social Basis of the Lin Biao Anti-Party Clique". These milestones invite reflection on the man whose pen ignited the first sparks of the Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution and whose sharp ideological interventions left an indelible imprint on the political and cultural landscape of socialist China.

The cost of being Indian: How inequality and market logic redefine rights

By Vikas Gupta We, the people of India, are engaged in a daily tryst—read: struggle—for basic human rights. For the seemingly well-to-do, the wish list includes constant water supply, clean air, safe roads, punctual public transportation, and crime-free neighbourhoods. For those further down the ladder, the struggle is starker: food that fills the stomach, water that doesn’t sicken, medicines that don’t kill, houses that don’t flood, habitats at safe distances from polluted streams or garbage piles, and exploitation-free environments in the public institutions they are compelled to navigate.

Why India must urgently strengthen its policies for an ageing population

By Bharat Dogra A quiet but far-reaching demographic transformation is reshaping much of the world. As life expectancy rises and birth rates fall, societies are witnessing a rapid increase in the proportion of older people. This shift has profound implications for public policy, and the need to strengthen frameworks for healthy and secure ageing has never been more urgent. India is among the countries where these pressures will intensify most sharply in the coming decades.

Thota Sitaramaiah: An internal pillar of an underground organisation

By Harsh Thakor* Thota Sitaramaiah was regarded within his circles as an example of the many individuals whose work in various underground movements remained largely unknown to the wider public. While some leaders become visible through organisational roles or media attention, many others contribute quietly, without public recognition. Sitaramaiah was considered one such figure. He passed away on December 8, 2025, at the age of 65.

Proposals for Babri Masjid, Ram Temple spark fears of polarisation before West Bengal polls

By A Representative A political debate has emerged in West Bengal following recent announcements about plans for new religious structures in Murshidabad district, including a proposed mosque to be named Babri Masjid and a separate announcement by a BJP leader regarding the construction of a Ram temple in another location within Behrampur.

Search This Blog