Thiruvananthapuram: The UDF leadership has called for setting up a tribunal to settle compensation claims of survivors of the unprecedented floods and landslides.
Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala told mediapersons after the UDF meeting here on Monday that the experience of Ockhi relief disbursal was behind demand for the new mechanism. Out of Rs 104.24 received by the CM Distress Fund, only Rs 25.14 crore had been disbursed; the rest had been diverted by the Government.
He said the LDF Government should not have created the post of an additional minister in these calamitous times. It is for the CPI to decide whether it should accept the offer of chief whip, a namesake burden on the public.
The is no going back on UDF demand for a judicial commission to probe main charge that the magnitude of the crisis owed to the opening of dams without sufficient notice.
Mr Chennithala said the tribunal should be able to disburse compensation to all genuine applicants within three to six months. The tribunal could have more than one bench since the affected people are spread over 14 districts.
The chairman of the tribunal, with powers of a civil court, could be a former judge of either the high court or Supreme Court, appointed in consultation with the chief justice of the high court. Two members could be drawn from the administration, the medical field or the civil services. Once the tribunal pronounces the award, government should remit the compensation amount before the tribunal within 15 days and this should be presented in a cheque to be cashed by the beneficiary. The tribunal also should have the power to grant an interim award.
Mr Chennithala alleged that the CPM and its affiliates were trying to control relief camps, plunging them into chaos. The party cadre were forcing trade and commercial establishments to part with materials and distributing them after affixing the party label on the bags. They were also trying to prevent the officials from discharging responsibilities.
Mr Chennithala said relief materials sent by Kerala Muslim Cultural Centre and Overseas Indian Cultural Congress were piled up at the airport because officials insist that the materials be distributed only through the government agencies.
The party should keep away its flags and symbols while engaged in service in relief camps. The government assurance to disburse Rs 10,000 to survivors was yet to be implemented. There were also allegations that imposters were cornering relief, leaving the genuine claimants in the lurch.
The UDF was against France Minister T M Thomas Isaac's proposal to the Centre to impose an additional 10% tax besides GST.
The decision to allow liquor bars to open after keeping Bevco outlets closed on Onam was a gesture for favours received.
The UDF wanted the Centre to announce a special package since it was clear from the PM's statement that the State need not expect anything more than the national disaster relief formula.
The UDF would associate itself in the rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts of the government.
