Kerala HC Slams Central Government for Delaying Wayanad Landslide Relief Funds
On October 5, the court responded to an amicus curiae report presented by senior advocate Ranjith Thamban, highlighting that Prime Minister Narendra Modi's promises during his visit to Wayanad have gone unfulfilled. The court pointed out that this was a crucial issue for the officials overseeing fund distributions from the NDRF and PMNRF.
The court granted the Assistant Solicitor General of India until October 18 to respond to the concerns raised in the amicus curiae report. The bench also requested the state government to provide an estimated cost detailing the needed relief measures, stressing that time is of the essence for the people of Wayanad.
The issue also echoed in the Kerala Legislative Assembly, where opposition leader V.D. Satheesh criticized the central government for not approving funds for the thousands displaced in the Chooral Mal tragedy. "It’s shameful that the central government has not approved funds for the resettlement of people in Wayanad who have lost their homes and property," he stated, as emotions ran high in the assembly.
Adding to the grim narrative, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed the assembly that damages in Wayanad have reached a staggering ₹1,200 crore, while the Vilangad area in Kozhikode reported losses of ₹217 crore. The aftermath of the landslide has tragically claimed over 400 lives and left thousands homeless. Despite these alarming figures, the state government is still waiting for a response from the central government regarding their request for assistance.