Thiruvananthapuram: Former chief minister Oommen Chandy has pointed out that the flooding and consequent misery in Kuttanad would not have been as severe as it was if the third-stage shutters of Thanneermukkom bund were opened at least a week before.

“It is surprising that the government did not bother to consider it until the media raised it,” said the Congress Working Committee member, adding: “It is a serious lapse on the part of the government.”

Chandy submitted to the chief minister 15 proposals received from the people and their elected representatives. They included a demand to provide clean water in lorries, boats and country boats to the affected people and the immediate transfer of the Rs 3,800 aid that the government had declared for every flooded house.

Other demands were that every house should be given at least Rs 5,000 to reconstruct washrooms and compensation should be provided to farmers who have suffered crop damage and who do not have insurance coverage. Seeds and fertiliser should be made available for the next farming season.

Farmers have managed to save, with great effort, cultivation in seven of the 25 paddy fields within Kainakari village. They should be compensated for the expenses involved, read another proposal.

Chandy also demanded that action should be taken to implement the second stage of Swaminathan Commission report.

Criminal lapse by govt, says Ramesh

The leader of opposition Ramesh Chennithala has accused the state government of criminal lapse for failing to check the flooding in Kuttanad. “One of the main reasons for such extensive flooding is that the Thanneermukkom shutters were not opened when it was necessary,” the Congress leader said. “The chief minister and the water resources minister have to answer for that. The incompetent government failed to check the misery of people even when the Okchi cyclone hit.”