Wayanad-Chooralmala Reconstruction works should enter top priority list, says High Court

KOCHI: The High Court has advised the state government to start relief and reconstruction works in the Wayanad Chooralmala-Mundakkai area without waiting for financial assistance from the centre. The division bench comprising Justice Dr A.K Jayashankaran Nambiar, and Justice S Eswaran recommended this when Amicus Curiae Adv. Renjith Nambiar brought the matter to their notice.

An additional Solicitor General A.R.L Sundareshan who appeared for the central government informed the court that the state government also should find funds for the reconstruction and the central government is always ready to provide additional assistance for the same. The court said to inform when almost 75 per cent of the fund allocated for work is utilised and will ask the centre to provide extra assistance then. Advocate General K. Gopalakrishna Kurup said it will cost almost 120 crores for the construction of roads and bridges. The court will consider the matter again on the 21st of this month.

Loan waiver: Decision should be made at the earliest

The High Court also said that quick decisions should be made on writing off the loan of the victims and also enquired whether a fixed amount can be written off if cannot be done completely. Relaxation should be given to those who have taken a small amount as a loan. Additional Solicitor General allocated two weeks time to the centre to give their decision on the same. Loans were not written off even during the pandemic. Banks cannot be made to suffer losses and there should be a ceiling on loans that can be written off. The court also reminded that the situation is not the same as it was when during the pandemic and a whole district is affected by the natural disaster this time.