Kerala High Court Flags Gaps In 2020 Flood Compensation Policy, Orders Review & Disbursal To Affected Families

A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Soumen Sen and Justice Syam Kumar V.M issued the directions while disposing of a writ petition seeking disbursal of balance amount to the remaining 3,232 families of Kuttanadu area in Alappuzha district.

By a Government order dated 10.12.2021, ₹3,800 was directed to be given to 43,538 families affected by the flood out of which the balance amount was not disbursed to 3,232 families.

The Court thus directed the District Collector to ensure that the amounts shall be paid to the flood affected families within a period of four weeks.

The Court also referred to government orders and internal communications, and observed that families who lost their livelihood for 30 days due to floods were recommended compensation of ₹6,300, later capped to ensure total payouts did not exceed ₹10,000 per family.

The Court noted that while government records outlined certain criteria for disbursing flood relief, they failed to explain why eligible families were not granted the higher compensation of ₹10,000.

The Court thus directed the Additional Chief Secretary (Disaster Management) to reconsider the claim for enhanced compensation within eight weeks, after granting a hearing to the petitioner representing affected families.

The Court clarified that this direction applies only to families already identified as eligible for compensation in prior government records.

Case Title: Jaisappan Mathai v State of Kerala and Ors.

Case No: WP(C) 37948/ 2023

Citation: 2026 LiveLaw (Ker) 162

Counsel for Petitioner: Sergi Joseph Thomas

Counsel for Respondents: Vinitha B. (Sr. GP)