THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: With the Assembly elections drawing closer, the Pinarayi Vijayan Cabinet on Wednesday approved a major relief measure for survivors of the Mundakkai–Chooralmala disaster in Wayanad, deciding to take over and settle the outstanding loans of those officially identified as disaster victims.
Loans amounting to over Rs 18.75 crore will be cleared, covering 1, 620 loans taken by 555 beneficiaries.
Revenue Minister K. Rajan said the government would assume full responsibility for the liabilities, with the required funds being met from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF).
He stressed that the decision was not a mere write-off but a complete takeover of the debt burden by the State.