After High Court Nudge, Centre Agrees To Free Kerala Govt Of ₹120 Crore Arrears For Immediate Use In Wayanad Rehabilitation

The Kerala HC on Friday (10th January) noted that the Centre Government by via a recent letter to the State has freed Rs. 120 Crore in the SDRF for utilization by the State. The Division Bench comprising of Justice A. K. Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Easwaran S. observed:"The Central Government essentially accepts the proposal that was mooted by us in our previous order and has agreed to the freeing up of the amount of ₹120 crore for immediate use of the State government in connection with the ongoing rehabilitation proceedings at Wayanad. The said amount can be used, in relaxation of the SDRF and NDRF norms of the Central Government"During the last hearing, the Court had asked the Centre if the State can be free up of Rs. 180 Crore outstanding debt to be paid to the Centre so that the same can be used for Wayanad rehabilitation. The State had informed the Court that after clearing Centre's debts and other commitments, State will be able to utilize only Rs. 61.03 Crores from the SDRF.Additional Solicitor General ARL Sundaresan today informed the Court that the Centre has sent a letter to the State, effectively freeing up the funds for immediate use. The Centre in its letter mentioned that as per the Scheme of the SDRF, the State Executive Committee constituted under the Disaster Management Act is empowered to incur expense from the fund which is already placed at their disposalThe Court also took into account that the disaster has been classified as a "disaster of severe nature". The Court was informed that the State can now tap into multiple funding sources for recovery and rehabilitation.The case will be next heard on 16th January.Case Title: In Re: Prevention And Management Of Natural Disasters In Kerala V State Of KeralaCase Number: WP(C) 28509/ 2024 & Connected CasesClick Here To Read/ Download Order

After High Court Nudge, Centre Agrees To Free Kerala Govt Of ₹120 Crore Arrears For Immediate Use In Wayanad Rehabilitation

Manju Elsa Isac

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