Last month, the Kerala government submitted an expense report to the High Court detailing the costs incurred for disaster relief following the Wayanad landslide. The figures, however, have sparked widespread outrage, with allegations that the estimates are grossly exaggerated. The total death toll from the disaster stands at just over 359, but the reported funeral expenses alone amounted to a staggering Rs 2.76 crore—translating to Rs 75,000 per victim. Additionally, Rs 1 crore was allocated for a Bailey bridge constructed by the Indian Army, while another Rs 3 crore was earmarked for addressing waterlogging issues.
These inflated figures have prompted the Kerala High Court to demand that the state government provide clarity on the criteria used to calculate such expenses. The government’s expenditure report has drawn sharp criticism, with many questioning why such high costs were attributed to relief efforts. There have been accusations that funds were even allocated for the Bailey bridge, which was constructed by military forces, further adding to the controversy.
In response to the uproar, the High Court has asked the government to explain the methodology behind these calculations. The Court has also emphasised the need to reactivate Vigilance and Monitoring Committees at the state, district, and divisional levels to curb illegal quarrying, which is believed to have contributed to the landslide disaster. The activities of these committees will be closely monitored through monthly reports.
The state government, in its submission to the Court, revealed that it had received 40 complaints from landslide survivors, of which 22 had been resolved. However, the Legal Services Authority pointed out that several survivors have raised concerns about non-payment of daily allowances and delays in rent compensation.
In a separate update, the government informed the Court about its ongoing efforts to acquire 87 hectares of land in Kottapadi and Kalpetta villages for the rehabilitation of 1,110 families affected by the landslide. Each family will be provided with 10 cents of land as part of the rehabilitation package.
The controversy over the relief expenses has become a political flashpoint, with both the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the opposition Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) launching sharp attacks on the state government. They have accused the government of inflating costs for personal gain, sparking public outrage. Last month, Organiser published an investigative story highlighting the discrepancies in the state’s expense sheet, adding fuel to the fire.
