Cabinet Clears Special Loan Scheme to Restore Livelihoods of Wayanad Disaster Victims

Thiruvananthapuram: The State government has approved special loan schemes to support people affected by the landslide disaster in Meppadi, Wayanad, with the aim of helping families rebuild their livelihoods.

At a Cabinet meeting, the government cleared a special loan scheme for Kudumbashree members in disaster-hit areas, along with the Ujjeevana loan scheme for affected families in Wayanad and Kozhikode districts. The assistance is intended to enable people to resume income-generating activities through bank loans.

The Ujjeevana scheme will be implemented in wards officially declared as disaster-affected following the landslides that occurred on July 30, 2024, in Meppadi panchayat in Wayanad district and Vaniyambel panchayat in Kozhikode district.

A loan package of 8.57 crore has been approved under the scheme. The interest subsidy of 1.94 crore will be met from the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund and routed to the Kudumbashree Mission through the Wayanad District Collector.

The total cost of the project has been estimated at 20 crore, which will be mobilised by allowing relaxations in SDRF norms in accordance with the High Court order. District Collectors concerned have been entrusted with releasing the government’s share of the assistance to banks. The loan schemes will remain in force until December 31, 2026.

The Ujjeevana loan scheme is designed to support the revival of livelihoods of those affected by the landslide, including micro, small and medium commercial, trade and industrial units, approved homestays, dairy farmers, Kisan Credit Card holders, ornamental bird farmers, beekeepers, tourist vehicle operators and commercial vehicle owners. Loans under the scheme will be extended through banks and non-banking institutions that are members of the district-level bankers’ committees.