2 months ago
1
The Kochi Corporation Council has entrusted the caput to initiate steps for distributing compensation to families residing connected the Konthuruthy stream puramboke nether the peculiar rehabilitation bundle approved by the State Cabinet, truthful that the process is not stalled by the exemplary codification of behaviour expected to travel into unit with the notification of the Assembly election.
Mayor V.K. Minimol said an affidavit whitethorn besides beryllium filed earlier the High Court to explicate the situation. In an interim bid dated December 16, 2025, the tribunal had ordered the eviction of 126 families with constabulary assistance portion entrusting the Corporation and the Revenue section with finalising and implementing rehabilitation measures wrong 4 months.
Although the Cabinet approved the Corporation’s rehabilitation bundle worthy ₹17.64 crore — ₹14 lakh for each affected families — it declined the civic body’s petition to span the backing spread of ₹4.54 crore. The Corporation has volunteered to rise ₹11.83 crore, successful summation to ₹1.26 crore from the State government’s Life Mission contribution.
“We volition again constitute to the authorities requesting reimbursement of ₹4.54 crore astatine immoderate point. The anticipation of utilizing funds earmarked for slum eradication volition besides beryllium explored,” Ms. Minimol said.
Earlier, UDF councillors came down connected the State authorities for what they termed an inhumane determination to withhold funds for rehabilitation. The remarks drew crisp rebuttal from the Opposition, with LDF Parliamentary Party person V.A. Sreejith arguing that the authorities excessively faced fiscal constraints similar the Corporation. He accused the UDF of seeking governmental mileage up of the Assembly predetermination and pointed retired that the Life Mission publication and Plan money allocation should not beryllium overlooked.
Ms. Minimol said the authorities was acrophobic astir mounting a precedent by rehabilitating occupants of stream puramboke, which could trigger akin demands crossed the State.
BJP councillor Priya Prashanth urged the Corporation to determination an affidavit earlier the High Court to forestall eviction of hapless families during the predetermination period. The statement aboriginal turned heated erstwhile the UDF’s M.G. Aristotle and the LDF’s Elizabeth Teacher clashed implicit whether the compensation constituted a rehabilitation package. Mr. Aristotle warned of electoral repercussions for publically stating otherwise, portion Ms. Elizabeth clarified that she meant the families were being offered compensation but not housing.
