HC asks Centre and State to stop blaming each other and find a solution on additional funds for Wayanad relief measures

HC directs State government to file a statement with specific details of amount spent for past commitments from SDRF with utilisation certificates

Offering to mediate between the State and the Union government over the allocation of additional funds for the Wayanad relief measures, a Division Bench of the Kerala High Court on Thursday directed the State government to file a statement with specific details of the amount spent for the past commitments from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) with utilisation certificates and what is required for future commitments.

The Bench, led by Justice A.K. Jayasanakran Nambiar, while hearing a suo motu case relating to the Wayanad relief measures observed that the State government could prepare a utilisation certificate or a certificate by a responsible authority for expenses incurred towards the past commitments and make request for the additional funds.

Justification

The court asked why the State could not make a utilisation certificate and submit it to the Centre. In fact, the State government should show a proper justification for additional funds and tell the Centre that because of such previous commitments, the government needs additional funds.

The court also said that the Centre could act on such a request made along with a utilisation certificate. The court asked the State and the Centre to stop blaming each other on the issue and find a solution.

The court asked the Centre to observe the principles of cooperative federalism and help the State government in times like this. “It is called cooperative federalism. If the State is in an emergency and needs funds, who else will the State ask for funds. Your norms like utilisation certificates are procedural norms. This was an emergency situation and the Centre should make exceptions in such situations.

‘Not received’

The State government submitted in a statement that the Centre had accepted the amount of ₹153.467 crore recommended by an  Inter-Ministerial Central Team (IMCT). However, the government has not received the amount. The Centre’s decision to grant additional relief comes with a rider that its approval was subject to adjustment of 50% available in the SDRF account. In addition to expenses incurred from the SDRF and the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF), funds are used from various departments under their plan and non-plan funds for response and relief measures. In order to execute rehabilitation project as envisaged in the Post Disaster Needs Assessment, the fund available in the CMDRF may not be sufficient. Therefore, speedy decision for additional financial assistance under the Recovery and Reconstruction Window will be necessary. A special consideration is of utmost necessary to appropriately rehabilitate the affected individuals.

Published - December 12, 2024 08:30 pm IST