KOCHI: Emphasising the need to help Wayanad recover as quickly as possible from the effect of the devastating landslides, Kerala HC on Thursday called for prompt action by Centre on relief measures.
A division bench of Justices AK Jayasankaran Nambiar and VM Syamkumar was considering a suo motu case initiated by the court following the landslides in Wayanad on July 30.
“…Get some positive action from Centre because we need to get Wayanad back on rails as soon as possible,” the court said. Advocate general K Gopalakrishna Kurup submitted that the Centre should also take a decision on waiving of loans disbursed to landslide victims.
Kerala State Disaster Management Authority submitted a report, outlining the steps taken to identify land for rehabilitating landslide victims. It said Nedumbala Estate (65.41 hectare) and Elston Estate (78.73 hectare) had been identified for constructing model townships to accommodate the displaced families. A scientific study was conducted to assess suitability of these lands for rehabilitation, it said.
The bench posted the case to October 18 to allow Centre to respond on non-disbursal of relief funds. It had earlier noted that National Disaster Management Response Fund and PM Relief Fund had not released any amount for disaster relief to Kerala after the landslides.