Kerala CM Demands Loan Waiver for Landslide Victims

The Kerala government, led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, has demanded banks write off loans for landslide victims and survivors in Wayanad. Expressing strong displeasure over the deduction of monthly installments from victims' accounts, the CM emphasized that such a measure was necessary to alleviate their burden.

The Kerala government on Monday voiced its strong displeasure over banks deducting monthly installments from the accounts of landslide victims in Wayanad. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan demanded that these loans be completely written off.

Vijayan asserted that waiving the loans would not place an unbearable burden on the banks, insisting it was the only viable solution for those affected by the disaster.

Addressing the State Level Bankers' Committee (SLBC), the CM emphasized that interest relief or extended repayment times were not adequate measures for the landslide-hit areas.

Many borrowers have died, and the lands they depended on are now unusable, he pointed out. The CM criticized banks for continuing to deduct installments from survivors' accounts and urged the SLBC to take favorable action.

The CM recalled the devastating impact of the July 30 landslides, which rendered agricultural lands unusable and destroyed homes, leaving victims unable to repay loans.

Vijayan stressed that banks should not expect the government to cover the waived amounts, insisting they should bear the cost themselves.

His remarks come amid protests against Kerala Gramin Bank for deducting installments from landslide survivors' relief funds, sanctioned by the government.

Protests outside Kalpetta's bank branch highlighted the issue, which led to the bank authorities promising in writing to halt deductions.

The July 30 landslides in Mundakkai and Chooralamala regions killed over 200 people and caused extensive damage.

(With inputs from agencies.)