Wayanad rehabilitation: Kerala Cabinet approves model township at Meppadi, Kalpetta

Kalpetta: The Kerala Cabinet has approved the construction of model township at Nedumbala Division of Harrison Malayalam Arappatta Estate in Meppadi Panchayat and at Elston Estate in Kalpetta Municipality, to resettle those affected by the Meppadi-Chooralmala landslide disaster. A total of 65.41 hectares of land from Nedumbala Estate and 78.73 hectares of land adjacent to the Kalpetta bypass from Elston Estate will be acquired for the purpose. The acquisition will exclude the inhabited areas of both estates, with 10.4 hectares from Elston Estate in Kalpetta and 6.61 hectares from Nedumbala Estate being excluded.

The legal issues related to the acquisition of these lands were consulted with experts, including the Advocate General. Due to the need for rapid land acquisition and the ownership disputes, the Cabinet meeting decided to acquire the land under the Disaster Management Act of 2005. This is aimed at avoiding delays in acquiring the land.

In the first phase, families who lost their homes and land in the disaster will be resettled. In the second phase, other families living in areas deemed uninhabitable will be relocated.

Around 700 families to be resettled in first phase

In the first phase of the resettlement project, around 700 families will be included. This will comprise families whose homes were completely destroyed or partially damaged beyond habitability. The decision will also take into account the report from the expert committee. A draft list of beneficiaries for both the first and second phases will be published by the District Collector soon. The process of finalising the list is progressing under the guidance of the district administration and the Meppadi Panchayat. After the list is published, any objections will be considered before preparing the final list, which will be done promptly, according to District Collector D R Meghashree.

The disaster victims can choose the township for their resettlement. In previous meetings, families who expressed a preference to remain in Meppadi Grama Panchayat will be settled there, while those who expressed willingness for relocation will be resettled in Kalpetta. Both locations have roads, drinking water and other basic amenities. Considering the unique circumstances of these areas, a master plan is also being prepared. The master plan will determine where houses, playgrounds, schools and public buildings like anganwadis will be constructed. All preliminary surveys related to these plans have been carried out under the leadership of the district administration.

Will Elston Estate workers’ employment issues be resolved?

The acquisition of the Kalpetta Elston Estate for the rehabilitation of disaster victims has raised concerns about the employment issues of the workers who have been employed there for years. The estate has seen labour strikes for years due to the management's failure to provide proper wages and other benefits. The estate, including its tea plantations, is in a state of disrepair. Workers have not plucked tea leaves for the past eight months, and replanting is being done under the leadership of labour unions. Even retirement benefits have not been provided to the retired workers. Despite discussions between labour union representatives and the labour department with the management, no solution has been reached. Workers hope that the implementation of the resettlement project here will bring their employment issues to the discussion table and lead to a resolution, along with development reaching the plantations.