Sanction Granted To Projects Worth ₹49 Crores Out Of Funds Given By Centre For Wayanad Relief: State Tells Kerala High Court

The Additional Secretary, Disaster Management department of the State government has submitted an affidavit before the Kerala High Court upon its direction to file a report regarding the manner of utilisation of the amount of Rs. 120 crores, which was permitted to be utilised in connection with the rehabilitation works in Wayanad.The Division Bench of Dr. Justice Jayasankaran Nambiar and Justice Jobin Sebastian was considering a suo motu case initiated by the High Court to prevent and manage natural disasters in Kerala after the Wayanad landslides. As per the affidavit, out of the total 18 projects that were proposed for an amount of Rs. 104.67 crores, administrative sanction was given to 7 projects. This includes 5 projects amounting to Rs. 24.05 crores and 2 projects amounting to Rs. 25.6 crores, sanctioned by the State Executive Committee held on July 18.The sworn affidavit also states that administrative sanction would be given to the other 11 projects shortly.The State further informed that financial assistance to the tune of Rs. 529.5 crores was made available as per the SASCI Scheme and guidelines issued by the Ministry of Finance. Out of this amount, administrative sanction was accorded to Rs. 322.94 crores for the rehabilitation in Wayanad. Moreover, proposal for the utilisation of the rest of the amount is currently being considered by the Government.It was also informed that an additional amount of Rs. 11 crores might be required in addition to the sanctioned amount for the construction of three schools. This additional amount can be taken out from the Rs. 120 crores allocated relaxing SDRF/NDRF norms.The State government also informed that it was decided to refund Rs. 116.15 crores to the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority Interest Treasury Savings Bank (KSDMA ITSB) account in the light of issuance of government order G.O. (Rt.) No. 479/2025/DMD dated 15.07.2025. When the matter came up today (August 1), the Advocate General representing the State government told the Court that administrative sanction has been received and the government is proceeding for tender.Thereafter, the Court asked about the waiver of loans, Additional Solicitor General Adv. AR. L. Sundaresan submitted that no final decision has yet been taken.Upon hearing the same, the Court orally remarked, "When will it be taken? It is one year now...We are lamenting on the first anniversary."The ASG replied stating that matter has been referred from the Home Ministry to the Expenditure Ministry. From there, it has gone to the Finance Ministry where there is a division which has to look into it. It has been forwarded there but not further instructions has yet been received thereafter.Thus, the Court gave two weeks' time to the Central Government to clarify its stand on the waiver of loans. The matter will be taken upon on August 13 next.BackgroundOn July 30, 2024, intense rainfall in Wayanad caused landslides in the district's hilly regions, particularly affecting the villages of Mundakkai and Choormala.Earlier, the Court had issued directions to Kerala State Mental Health Authority (KSMHA), Mental Health Review Board, Kerala State Legal Services Authority (KeLSA) and the District Legal Service Authority to deal with psychological issues and mental trauma inflicted upon the children in Wayanad, due to the landslides.There was also a direction KSDMA and KeLSA to bring before the court, the unredressed grievances of survivors in the Wayanad landslides. The court also observed that it would monitor the same. Later, the State informed the Court that the High-Level Committee will take a decision on the categorization of the Wayanad landslide.During the course of proceedings, the Court sought clarification from the State government regarding the current availability of funds in the SDRF for utilization and the anticipated expenses for the future. It stated that further orders for the release of funds could only be issued if there was proper clarity regarding the availability and utilization of funds in the SDRF.The State informed the Court that out of the Rs. 782.99 crore available in SDRF, it has previous commitments of about Rs. 638.97 crores and thus there is balance of Rs. 61.53 crores in SDRF, which the state government has allocated for meeting any instant disasters, preparedness and capacity building in the State. Considering the same, the Court told the State government that it must inform the Central government of the expenses incurred from the State's Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) for seeking additional funds for immediate assistance.Earlier this year, KSDMA had submitted before the High Court that steps were being taken to remove debris left in the rivers in the aftermath of landslide before monsoon.On April 10, the Court issued an order directing the Union Government/ National Disaster Management Authority to deliberate on whether the situation in Wayand calls for invocation of loan waiver under Section 13 of the...

Sanction Granted To Projects Worth ₹49 Crores Out Of Funds Given By Centre For Wayanad Relief: State Tells Kerala High Court

K. Salma Jennath

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