The Kerala High Court has directed the state Governor to submit a detailed report on the utilization of ₹120 crore allocated by the Centre for Wayanad landslide rehabilitation. The fund, freed up after a special NDRF rule relaxation, was intended to assist victims of the 2024 disaster that devastated large parts of the hilly district.
A division bench led by Justices A.K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and P.M. Manoj, while hearing a suo motu case, emphasized that proper tracking and deployment of the funds are vital for effective disaster response and long-term rebuilding. The court also raised a crucial question—have the bank loans taken by affected families been waived? It instructed state and central authorities to clarify this within two weeks.
The state informed the court that about ₹61.5 crore remains under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), but reiterated the urgent need to activate the additional ₹120 crore for rehabilitation work.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for July 25, expecting comprehensive updates from both the Governor and the Centre. This marks a pivotal moment in ensuring accountability and relief delivery for the disaster-hit region.
