The Kerala High Court on Friday (10th Jan) has noted the Central government’s approval to release Rs 120 crores in arrears for Wayanad’s disaster relief, amidst ongoing disputes over financial assistance. The funds, aimed at aiding rehabilitation from landslides, may be used prior to further financial evaluations and are in line with the Disaster Management Act.
Borewell accidents show that the 2010 Supreme Court safety guidelines are not being followed properly. The court took suo motu action after many cases of children falling into open borewells. Even with clear rules, these incidents still happen, causing dangerous situations and rescue operations. There is an urgent need to enforce these safety measures more strictly to stop such accidents.
Today, On 10th December, The Supreme Court urged the Centre and Karnataka to resolve drought aid issues, particularly the release of Rs.18,171 crore from the National Disaster Response Fund, with only Rs.3,819 crore granted so far. Karnataka’s plea claims violations of residents’ rights and calls for assistance due to severe drought affecting 223 taluks. Further hearings are scheduled for January.
The Central Government has sanctioned Rs.153 crore for relief and development in Wayanad following a landslide disaster. This funding, contingent on state contributions, addresses immediate recovery needs. Kerala has also requested Rs.2,219 crore for comprehensive reconstruction, which is under review. The region, prone to landslides, faces severe humanitarian and environmental challenges.
Today, On 25th October, The Kerala High Court ruled that the Model Code of Conduct for the upcoming Lok Sabha by-elections must not hinder ongoing relief efforts in landslide-affected Wayanad, emphasizing the protection of ecological areas during campaigning. The Court also mandated adherence to eco-friendly practices and called for an assessment of residents’ financial conditions due to accumulated debts.
Today(on 12th July),The Supreme Court has scheduled a hearing in four weeks on Karnataka’s writ petition demanding the release of Rs. 18,000 crore from the Centre for drought relief under the NDRF. Senior advocates Kapil Sibal and DL Chidananda argued for a non-miscellaneous listing to present detailed arguments, highlighting the inadequacy of funds released so far.
Today (3rd April): The Tamil Nadu government has accused the Central government of withholding Rs. 37,000 crore allocated for flood relief. The state argues that the delay in fund release hinders disaster management efforts and violates fundamental rights. They have filed a plea in the Supreme Court, seeking the allocation of these funds and highlighting the unequal treatment compared to other states.