big step by kerala government to help families affected by wayanad landslide

The Kerala government has taken an important step to assist the families affected by the Wayanad landslide. Missing persons will now be officially declared deceased, allowing their families to receive the financial assistance previously announced for deceased victims. Permanent death certificate will also be issued after following two procedures. Revenue Minister K Rajan highlighted that it usually takes seven years for a missing person to be declared dead, but exceptions were being made due to the emergency nature of the situation. Measures have been taken to provide assistance to the families of the missing as provided to the families of the deceased. The number of missing people has reduced because we are identifying them through DNA testing.

Before the state government gives approval to declare a missing person dead, an investigation will be conducted by two committees. The local level committee, comprising the village officer, panchayat secretary and SHO of the local police station, will conduct a detailed investigation and submit its findings to the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA). Once the DDMA sends a case, the state level committee, comprising principal secretaries of home, revenue disaster management and local self-government departments, will review it and provide final approval.

There will be a process to obtain a permanent death certificate. A list of missing persons will be published and the Sub-Collector will investigate each case. The 30-day window will allow the public to submit any additional information. Details of missing persons will be widely publicized through newspapers, websites and local notice boards.