HC seeks Centre’s response on loan waiver for Wayanad landslide victims

The Kerala High Court has sought a response from the Centre on its stand on the waiving of loans availed by those affected by the landslides at Chooralmala and Mundakkai in Wayanad on July 30, 2024.

The court had earlier this year directed the Centre to consider whether the provisions of the Disaster Management Act (DMA) could be invoked to direct banks to waive the loans of those affected by the devastating landslides. While considering a suo motu petition concerning their rehabilitation, the court observed on Friday that no further instructions had been received on the matter and went on to direct the Deputy Solicitor General to obtain and submit instructions. A response in this regard ought to be submitted by June 11.

Unsafe stretches

In the meantime, an amicus curiae that had been appointed submitted a report raising concerns about whether the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had approved any disaster management plan as mandated under the DMA. As per a study conducted by the National Transportation Planning and Research Centre (Natpac), approximately 36% of national highways in Kerala were classified as unsafe. These high-risk zones included stretches passing through geologically sensitive regions such as Wayanad, Kasaragod, and Idukki.

Following this, the court directed the NHAI to submit a report on the issue by June 11. The petition has been adjourned to June 13 for further proceedings.

Published - May 30, 2025 08:31 pm IST