On December 7, the Kerala High Court strongly criticised the Kerala Government for repeatedly accusing the Union Government of failing to provide funds for Wayanad landslide relief and rehabilitation programmes. The court questioned how a state government could approach the Union Government without submitting proper accounts. It also inquired whether the Disaster Relief Fund undergoes regular audits and demanded clarity on whom the government was attempting to mislead.
In a suo motu case regarding the Wayanad landslide, the court directed the state government to submit proper audit documents and financial records. The observations aligned with the Centre’s position that disaster funds had been regularly disbursed to the state, but the state failed to provide accurate, complete, and timely accounts.
The court expressed its dissatisfaction with the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority’s performance. It emphasised that the state must submit proper accounts when seeking central grants. The authority’s lack of transparency, particularly regarding the audit process, came under sharp scrutiny. The court demanded answers to several specific questions, including when the last audit was conducted, how much money remains in the fund, the mode of expenditure, and whether ₹677 crore is available and how much of it can be utilised for the Wayanad disaster.
The court ridiculed the state government for its lack of clarity, noting that while money might appear in the passbook, it may not actually be available in the account. It also sarcastically questioned whether the state government was basing its discussions in the assembly on media reports rather than audited financial records. The court suggested that this might be a political manoeuvre and remarked that the state could not request additional funds without verifying the balance in its existing accounts.
While granting the state government more time, the court set a deadline of 13 December to submit proper accounts and bring clarity to the situation.
Key Highlights of the Court’s Observations:
Are there any proper accounts or audits?
Whom are you trying to mislead?
Is the money only in the passbook, not in the accounts?
Are assembly discussions based on news reports?
The Centre should be convinced that the state’s claims are genuine.
Meanwhile, knowledgeable sources have raised suspicions about the diversion or misuse of funds. It appears the court shares these concerns. Despite several arguments from the state government, it has yet to provide a satisfactory account of the funds.
Prominent economist Mary George observed that multiple reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (C&AG) have indicated that the state government often diverts funds from their intended purposes. Following the Wayanad disaster, the state government had promised ₹300 per day to rehabilitated individuals, but this has not been paid regularly. Similarly, house rent payments promised by the government have not been distributed.
The High Court’s observations come as a severe blow to both Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the Lok Sabha MP from Wayanad. The criticism is particularly significant as both leaders belong to the INDI Alliance.
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