🀅Amid the row over Kerala's government's reaction to the scientists' remarks on Wayanad landslide, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday directed Chief Secretary V Venu to withdraw a controversial note issued by the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).
𝐆The chief minister in a statement on Thursday night also said that the news of SDMA directing scientific institutions and scientists not to visit the disaster-affected Meppadi panchayat in Wayanad and not to express their opinions was misleading.
ไ"The state government does not have such a policy," the chief minister said.
ꩵ"The chief secretary has been directed to immediately intervene and withdraw the communication that conveyed such a message," he said.
𓆏Following Vijayan's order, the Chief Secretary of Kerala on Friday issued an official clarification on the matter.
About the note issued by Kerala SDMA
🐓The note earlier restrained all the science and technology institutions of the state from sharing their opinions and study reports with the media regarding the recent deadly landslides in Wayanad.
🦹It also stated that prior permission from the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority (KSDMA) was required to undertake any studies in the disaster-affected area.
🐎The scientific community strongly protested against the note prepared by State Relief Commissioner and Principal Secretary, Disaster Management, Tinku Biswal.
🙈The massive landslides struck Kerala's Wayanad district on Tuesday morning, killing at least 190 people and injuring many. With nearly 200 people missing, the death toll is expected to rise.
