Wayanad relief funds pending as Kerala yet to submit Utilisation Certificate: Centre in LS

New Delhi: The Centre has informed the Lok Sabha that the Utilisation Certificate (UC) from the Kerala government has not yet been received, delaying the release of subsequent instalments of central assistance for recovery and reconstruction following the Wayanad (Meppadi–Chooralmala) landslide.

The response came amid sharp criticism from the Kerala government over what it termed inadequate financial support from the Centre. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had earlier said that the state had sought Rs 2,221.03 crore for reconstruction and rehabilitation in the landslide-hit hill district, but received only Rs 260.56 crore, that too after waiting for more than a year.

Replying to a question raised by Congress MP K C Venugopal on Tuesday, Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai said the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) report submitted by Kerala was received by the Centre on November 13, 2024. The state had sought Rs 2,221.029 crore as central assistance from the Recovery and Reconstruction window of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).

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After examining the proposal, the Centre approved Rs 260.56 crore for recovery and reconstruction activities, in accordance with existing guidelines. The Kerala government was also advised to seek additional support for certain disaster risk reduction and livelihood-related activities under applicable schemes.

The minister explained that assistance from the Recovery and Reconstruction window of the NDRF is released in three instalments, 30 per cent, 40 per cent and 30 per cent, subject to the utilisation of 75 per cent of the previously released amount. Accordingly, the first instalment of Rs 76.16 crore was released on November 17, 2025.

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“For release of subsequent instalments, the State Government has to furnish the Utilisation Certificate of 75 per cent of the previously released amount. As on date, the Utilisation Certificate from the Government of Kerala has not been received,” Rai told the House.

In addition, the Centre said Rs 529.50 crore has been made available to Kerala under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) for reconstruction and recovery works related to the landslide. The state has also received Rs 153.47 crore from the Relief and Response funding window as per SDRF/NDRF norms.

Further, an amount of Rs 72 crore has been allotted to Kerala under the National Landslide Risk Mitigation Project (NRMP), the minister added.

The July 2024 landslides in the Mundakkai-Chooralmala area of Wayanad claimed over 200 lives and destroyed hundreds of homes.