In a significant ruling on Thursday, the Kerala High Court mandated the state government to produce a utilization certificate for the funds previously allocated or expended from the State Disaster Relief Fund (SDRF) before seeking further financial assistance from the Central Government for the rehabilitation efforts in Wayanad’s disaster-stricken regions.
The bench, comprising Justices A K Jayasankaran Nambiar and Easwaran S, also stated its intent to mediate between the state and the Centre to facilitate the resolution of this issue. This decision comes in the wake of the court’s ongoing supervision of disaster prevention and management initiatives in Kerala, prompted by devastating landslides in Wayanad that resulted in over 200 fatalities.
Highlighting the discrepancies in fund management, the court pointed out that the funds reported in SDRF accounts were largely notional. It emphasized the necessity for the state government to clearly communicate the actual expenditures and the additional needs to the Central Government, to ensure that further assistance could be appropriately allocated.
The court’s directive includes the requirement for the Principal Secretary to submit a detailed report by December 18, outlining the utilization of funds and the future financial requirements for Wayanad’s rehabilitation.
