The High Court of Kerala has directed the District Collector to take appropriate steps to see that the victims of 2019 flood are rehabilitated to the project as contemplated initially without any further delay.
The bench presided by Justice Anu Sivaram was hearing a petition filed by Chandran CP where the bench was informed that houses have been constructed for the benefit of the 2019 flood victims. However the houses are not been handed over to the beneficiaries due to certain disputes between local politicians.
It was further submitted submitted that though representations have been submitted before the District Collector as well as the Government, no action has been taken thereon.
The Counsel appearing for the zonal Manager submitted that the houses are ready for occupation and that the keys have not been handed over only due to the confusion as to whom the keys have to be handed over.
The Government Pleader on the other hand submitted that the delay in rehabilitating the beneficiaries is only due to the Covid-19 pandemic situation and that some time may be required to shift the residences of the beneficiaries to the new project.
The bench directing the Zonal Officer to hand over the keys of the project to the District collector said that “since the project is complete and the residences are ready for occupation, the continued delay in handing over the keys and giving the benefits to the beneficiaries is completely unjustified.”
The bench has directed that the rehabilitation be done within a period of 3 weeks.
-India Legal Bureau