KOCHI: The High Court has strongly criticised the central government's stance that loans of Wayanad landslide victims cannot be waived. The court verbally remarked that Kerala should not be treated with a stepmotherly attitude when other states are provided with adequate central assistance for natural disasters. "Who are you trying to fool? Citizens cannot be seen as aliens. Kerala is not seeking mercy. The moratorium on foreclosures against disaster victims will continue," the High Court clarified.

The court slammed the Centre when it reiterated that there was no provision to waive off the loans of disaster victims and that the Ministry has limitations in involving itself in activities, including those of the Reserve Bank. The banks that had given the loans were made parties to the petit

See Full Page