The rehabilitation of the victims who lost everything including their homes in the devastating landslides that occurred at the end of July has not yet begun. The final decision has now been made on the rehabilitation land and the houses to be built on it. Initially, the construction cost of a house was estimated at Rs. 30 lakh. The cabinet meeting held the other day reduced it to Rs. 20 lakh. This is due to the insistence of the sponsors. Rs. 20 lakh is not a small amount. This is an amount that is in line with today's construction costs.

Earlier, the government had earmarked two estates for preparing the rehabilitation plan for the affected people. They were Elston Estate and Nedumbala Estate in Meppadi panchayat. However, since there are only 430 families on the list of those to be rehabilitated, it has been decided to confine the township to Elston Estate alone. If necessary, other places will also be examined. Three lists of families to be rehabilitated have been prepared. Seven cents of land is allotted for each house. The initial plan was to prepare houses on five cents of land. There is a condition that the ownership of the houses constructed in the township should not be transferred for 12 years. The cabinet has decided to provide Rs 15 lakh each to those who want to build their own houses outside the township. The current monthly allowance to the affected people will continue to be given. Essential items worth Rs 1,000 will also be provided.

The township construction is planned to begin as soon as the ownership of the land is transferred. Since there are sponsors, it is necessary to know how many houses each person can build. Since eight months have already passed, it is necessary to take care to avoid further delays that might happen as part of the procedures. The Uralungal Society, to which the government has chosen to hand over the construction task, has informed that it is ready to start construction at any time. The construction cost can be reduced since there will be a good profit in purchasing and delivering materials when more than four hundred houses are built together. The final decision has been made by estimating the expenditure of one house at Rs. 20 lakhs, keeping that in mind. The house allotted in the township will be in the name of the head of the household and his wife. Both of them will have the right to the house. In times of need, it will be possible to take a loan by mortgaging the house and land.

There are only two months left for the next monsoon season to begin. Judging by the weather patterns of the past few years, the rains are expected to arrive before mid-May. Therefore, the construction of the rehabilitation township should not be delayed indefinitely. The construction work can be started by setting aside the Rs 529 crore that the Centre has sanctioned as an interest-free loan. Necessary steps need to be taken to overcome the condition that this amount should be spent before March 31. It is expected that the deadline will be extended if the need is convinced. The uncertainty in planning and implementation must be eliminated first. The necessary bureaucratic systems need to be prepared for this. Everyone must realize the reality that there is no more time to waste.