Centre has allocated ₹120 crores for Wayanad relief, with ₹49 crores already approved for various projects, as stated to Kerala High Court by the State
The rehabilitation efforts in the Wayanad district of Kerala, affected by last year's devastating landslides, are part of a larger initiative to manage natural disasters in the state. These efforts are being funded jointly by the Central and Kerala governments under the Prevention and Management of Natural Disasters in Kerala.
The Kerala High Court is currently presiding over a case related to the management of natural disasters in Kerala, with a specific focus on the distribution and utilization of relief funds for the Wayanad Landslide. Justice AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Jobin Sebastian are overseeing the case, which is not related to the allocation of funds but their distribution and utilization.
As reported to the Kerala High Court, the Central government has allocated a total of ₹120 crores for rehabilitation efforts in Wayanad district. Out of this, ₹49.65 crores have been approved for various rehabilitation projects, although details of all specific initiatives are still emerging.
Key efforts by the Kerala government include rehabilitating families who lost their homes, compensating traders and commercial establishments, continuing medical assistance with ₹6 crore from the Chief Minister's Disaster Relief Fund, and constructing a memorial at Puthumala, one of the worst-affected areas. The government has also formed committees to decide fair compensation and plans to incorporate more beneficiaries after verification following field inspections.
However, the Central government's support has been limited, with no special financial package for housing or livelihood restoration. The Centre declined Kerala’s request for loan waivers for affected families, offering only loan rescheduling and restructuring, which has not eased the long-term financial burdens of the victims. Political organizations have also contributed independently to relief efforts due to perceived gaps in government support.
Despite these challenges, the Kerala government has approved projects worth ₹49.65 crores for rehabilitation efforts in Wayanad district. The remaining amount of ₹70.35 crores from the Central government's allocation for rehabilitation efforts in Wayanad district has not been approved yet.
The ongoing judicial oversight by the Kerala High Court indicates a commitment to ensuring that the relief funds are used effectively and equitably for the rehabilitation of the affected communities in Wayanad district.
- The ongoing judicial oversight by the Kerala High Court, focusing on the distribution and utilization of relief funds for the Wayanad Landslide, underscores the importance of finance and politics in managing general-news situations like natural disasters.
- In the broader context of Kerala's rehabilitation efforts after the Wayanad landslides, the distribution of relief funds by the Central and Kerala governments, as well as contributions from political organizations, can be considered significant aspects of finance, industry, and politics.
