Fri Nov 15 18:30:27 IST 2024: ## Kerala High Court Presses for Faster Landslide Relief: Additional Funding Decision Pending
**KOCHI, November 15, 2024:** The Kerala High Court on Friday urged the Union government to expedite its decision on whether to classify the recent Wayanad landslides as L3 category, which would unlock additional funds from the National Disaster Response Funds (NDRF) for relief efforts.
The court heard a suo motu case regarding the landslides and was informed by the Assistant Solicitor General of India that a High Level Committee would make a decision within the next month. While acknowledging the availability of sufficient funds in the State Disaster Response Funds (SDRF), the court pressed for a swift resolution on the additional assistance sought by the state government.
The court also directed the Additional Solicitor General to expedite the process of waiving off loans taken by landslide survivors from scheduled banks. The bench dismissed the interpretation that a letter from the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs indicated a refusal to grant additional funds, stating that the letter “doesn’t give such an impression.”
This development comes as the state government continues to grapple with the aftermath of the devastating landslides. The High Court’s intervention underscores the urgency for swift action to ensure adequate resources are available for relief and rehabilitation efforts.
First Piper 