Kerala Budget 2025: FM Balagopal announces Rs 750 cr for Wayanad rehabilitation project

Kerala Budget 2025: FM KN Balagopal on Friday (Feb 7) announced Rs 750 crore for the Wayanad rehabilitation project in the initial phase.

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala Finance Minister KN Balagopal while presenting the state budget for 2025 on Friday (Feb 7), announced Rs 750 crore for the initial phase of the Wayanad rehabilitation project.

He said, "The central government did not show the same justice to Kerala as it did to other states. We will complete the Wayanad rehabilitation on time. In the first phase, Rs 750 crore will be allocated."

In his budget speech, Balagopal described the Mundakkai-Chooralmala landslides as a catastrophic event. He noted that the disaster, which occurred on July 30, 2024, claimed 254 lives, with 44 individuals reported missing. The calamity also led to the destruction of 2,007 houses, leaving thousands without a source of income. The overall damage was estimated at Rs 1,202 crore. To support rehabilitation and reconstruction efforts, a total of Rs 2,201 crore is required, Balagopal stated.

He emphasized that the Left government delivers on its promises, ensuring that rehabilitation efforts will be carried out within a set timeframe. As an initial allocation, Rs 750 crore has been earmarked for the rehabilitation process, Balagopal stated.

The minister further stated that the final installment of Rs 600 crore for Service Pension revision arrears will be paid in February. The remaining two installments of salary revision arrears will be settled within this financial year and merged into the Provident Fund. Additionally, measures will be taken to release the two pending installments of DA arrears.