Priyanka Gandhi Meets Flood Victims and Workers in Nilambur

Congress leader and MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra visited the Nilambur region on Wednesday, meeting flood victims and workers from different sectors.

She called on the family of Sajita, one of the six people who died in the Kottapuzha flash flood at T.K. Colony in Amarambalam on Sunday. At the Appankappu settlement in Pothukallu, she spoke with Sajita's relatives, asked about their needs, and assured them that she would take up their concerns and extend support.

Later, at Kurumbalangode in Chungathara, Ms. Vadra met workers enrolled under the Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission. The workers described the difficulties they have faced since the new scheme replaced the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme. Ms. Vadra said the new scheme undermined the purpose of the employment guarantee law and promised to raise their concerns with the Centre and push for corrective measures.

In Chungathara, she also met autorickshaw workers and heard their grievances. The workers said rising fuel prices and the cost of spare parts were eating into their earnings. They sought a fuel subsidy as an immediate relief, a higher pension through the Welfare Fund Board, and loans from the fund for vehicle maintenance. They also asked the Transport department to permit the transfer of existing autorickshaw permits to new electric vehicles.

Ms. Vadra said she would take up the issues raised by the workers with the authorities concerned. Aryadan Shoukath, MLA, accompanied her during the visit.