Kerala high court seeks Centre's views on waiving of loans of Wayanad landslide victims
Kochi: Kerala high court has sought instructions from the central govt by June 11 on its position regarding waiving of the loans availed by those affected by the devastating landslides at Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad on July 30, 2024.
Earlier, on April 10, the court had directed the central govt to consider whether the provisions of the Disaster Management Act (DMA) could be invoked to direct banks to waive of the loans of the landslide victims. On Friday, while considering the suo motu petition concerning the rehabilitation of the victims, the bench of Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and P M Manoj noted that no further instructions had been received on the matter.
The court, therefore, directed the deputy solicitor general to obtain and submit instructions.
Meanwhile, amicus curiae submitted a report raising concerns over whether National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has approved any disaster management plan as mandated under the DMA. The report referred to a study conducted by NATPAC, which found that approximately 36% of national highways in Kerala are classified as unsafe.
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These high-risk zones include stretches passing through geologically sensitive regions such as Wayanad, Kasaragod and Idukki.
The report also cited several incidents related to ongoing highway construction activities across the state. Upon reviewing the report, the court directed NHAI to submit a report in the matter by June 11. The petition has been adjourned to June 13 for further proceedings.
The Kerala State Disaster Management Authority informed HC that debris removal work in the landslide-affected area commenced on April 15, beginning with the road stretch between the Bailey Bridge and the school. It was subsequently decided to extend the operation from the confluence of the Punnapuzha and Padavattipuzha rivers down to the Attamala region.
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