Kerala HC directs aid to 40,000 people sanctioned before polls

The Kerala High Court on Wednesday directed the disbursal of financial assistance of over Rs.44 crore to 44,327 beneficiaries that was sanctioned by the government before the announcement of assembly polls but could not be distributed due to the implementation of the model code of conduct.

The Election Commission's code of conduct had come as a shocker for the poor people who had approached the state government seeking financial assistance for meeting their emergency requirements from the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund.

The beneficiaries in 14 districts will receive Rs.44,54,24,700 under the scheme.

Chandy had last month said it was unfortunate that the poll code came in the way, even when all the applications were cleared for payment before the model code of conduct came into effect.

Following the implementation of the poll code, four petitioners from Aluva, who were beneficiaries under the scheme, approached the high court requesting for immediate release of the fund allotted to them.

Since May 2011, the Chandy government has paid Rs.798 crore from the CMDRF to the poor.