State Govt. to Provide Rs. 10 Lakh to 21 Children in Mundakkai; Rs. 41 Lakh for Those Who Lost Both Parents

Kalpetta: In the aftermath of the Mundakkai landslide, the Kerala state government will deposit an additional Rs. 10 lakh today on August 18, 2025, as educational aid for 21 children who lost their parents in the disaster. Among them, seven children who lost both their parents will receive Rs. 41 lakh each, while 14 children who lost one parent will receive Rs. 15 lakh each. Two of these children are from other states.

A treasury account has been opened in the name of the District Collector, with the children listed as nominees, and the amount will be kept as a fixed deposit until they reach the age of 18. The deposit is expected to earn a monthly interest of around Rs. 8,000. Once the child turns 18, the amount can be withdrawn. Since the disaster, four of the 21 children have already turned 18 and are also included in this scheme.

The financial assistance from the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Fund (CMDRF) is in addition to the Rs. 10 lakh already provided by the Women and Child Development Department to children who lost both their parents. For those who lost only one parent, the department has already handed over Rs. 5 lakh each. The money kept in joint accounts under the names of the District Child Protection Officer and the respective child also earns monthly interest.

Apart from this, an additional Rs. 5 lakh has been deposited as a fixed deposit for children who lost both parents, using CSR funds managed by the State Disaster Management Authority and contributions collected from various sponsors. Moreover, in collaboration with UNICEF, there are plans to provide a monthly allowance of Rs. 4,000 and ensure educational support until the children turn 25 years old.

Despite the scale of the disaster and repeated appeals from the state, union government have remained silent and has yet to announce any specific relief or long-term rehabilitation measures for the victims of the Mundakkai landslide. The lack of union intervention has placed the full burden of care and recovery on the shoulders of the state government and its welfare agencies.