Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan has stated that the proposal for the Wayanad rehabilitation package was submitted in accordance with the central government's guidelines, and not all expenses could be included as per those guidelines. She added that the actual costs are much higher than the amount submitted, and the additional funds would be sourced from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund and other avenues. Sarada was responding to media reports about the inflated expenditure figures related to the rehabilitation of people affected by the Wayanad landslide.

According to the Secretary, the proposal was submitted to the central government in the second week of August to receive the rehabilitation package. “This is the same information presented in the affidavit to the High Court. Several expenses, such as rent for interim accommodation for those who lost their homes, cannot be included as per the central guidelines,” she said.

“The financial aid provided by the central government for the loss of homes and other damages is less than what is required. The expenses were inflated within the permissible limits to adhere to the central guidelines. Major expenses lie ahead, such as model townships, interim accommodation until rehabilitation is complete, and compensation for damages. These figures are just projections, prepared during the initial phase of the disaster. This is standard practice during natural disasters,” the Chief Secretary told Mathrubhumi.com.

The central team has visited and held discussions with the state government. It is expected that the rehabilitation package will be announced soon, she added.

Earlier, Revenue Minister K. Rajan stated that the expenditure figures related to the rehabilitation of people affected by the Wayanad landslide discussed in the media are inaccurate. According to Rajan, what has been reported is not the actual amount spent but the projected expenditure submitted to the central government for rehabilitation purposes.

The government had released details of expenditures related to the rehabilitation and rescue operations for the Wayanad landslide tragedy. These details, included in an affidavit submitted to the High Court, sparked protests and criticism from various quarters. The figures provided included Rs 75,000 for burying a deceased person, Rs 4 crore for bringing volunteers and other activists to the affected areas, Rs 10 crore for food and water for the armed forces and volunteers, Rs 15 crore for their accommodation, and Rs 12 crore for evacuating people from the landslide-affected areas.