Wayanad landslides : Decide on L3 category within this month, Kerala HC tells Centre
Published On : 2024-11-16T12:24:21+0530 [ IST ] |
Author : Mayur_Tembhare
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The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the Union government to decide within this month on the state's request to classify theWayanad landslides under the L3 category (severe).
A bench comprising Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and K Jayakumar sought a response from the Centre while hearing a suo motu petition initiated by the court after the July 30 disaster which claimed 231 lives with 47 people still missing.
Advocate General K Gopalakrishna Kurup highlighted the critical stage of rehabilitation for landslide-affected persons and stressed the need for funds to acquire land for resettlement. Acknowledging this the bench directed the Centre to expedite its decision-making
‘Classification panel to meet’
The HC was reminded that the landslide had resulted in significant loss of life and destruction of livestock, crops, land, property and infrastructure.
The additional solicitor general ARL Sundaresan informed the court that the high-level committee responsible for disaster classification had not yet convened but assured that the meeting would take place soon.
The advocate general informed the court about a letter from the Union minister of state for home affairs Nityanand Rai stating that no additional funds could be allocated beyond what had already been provided.
The bench remarked orally that the letter did not explicitly state that the Union govt would deny further funds. The court observed that the interpretation of the letter could differ and the understanding that the Centre had refused additional aid might represent only one perspective rather than the actual intent.
The advocate general clarified that the letter highlighted the absence of provisions in the SDRF/NDRF to classify a calamity as a national disaster.
Further the Centre claimed that Rs 388 crore has been allocated to the state for the 2024–25 financial year comprising Rs 291.20 crore as the central share. Despite the passage of four months since the disaster no positive assurance regarding additional funds or assistance has been provided by the
The additional solicitor general argued that sufficient funds were currently available in the SDRF to meet Wayanad's requirements. He assured the court that a definitive decision on additional assistance would be communicated by the next hearing.
Source : Reporters From Sunrise Chronicles
Tags : Advocate , Despite , Justices , Jayasankaran Nambiar , Additionally , letterkerala high courton friday directed , July , govtpositive assurance regarding additional funds , Upon , Earlier ,
Summary :
The Kerala High Court on Friday directed the Union government to decide within this month on the state's request to classify theWayanad landslides under the L3 category (severe).
A bench comp
