Cabinet approves loan scheme for landslides-hit Kudumbashree members

The Kerala Cabinet on Wednesday approved a special loan scheme for Kudumbashree members in the landslides-hit region of Meppadi in Wayanad district and Vanimel panchayat in Kozhikode district.

The Ujjeevana loan scheme will be implemented to restart livelihoods of the disaster victims in the wards declared disaster-affected due to the landslide that occurred in July 2024 at Meppadi panchayat and Vanimel panchayat. The loan scheme of ₹8.57 crore has been approved and ₹1.94 crore, calculated as interest on the loan, will be allocated to the Kudumbashree Mission from the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund through the Wayanad District Collector. The estimated cost of ₹20 crore for the project will be found by relaxing the State Disaster Relief Fund norms as per the Kerala High Court verdict. The District Collector concerned has been assigned the responsibility of disbursing the government share of the scheme to the banks. The loan schemes will be valid till December 31, 2026.

The Ujjeevana loan scheme is intended to help the flood-affected MSMEs, approved homestays, disaster-affected dairy farmers, Kisan card holders, bee farmers, tourist vehicle owners and commercial vehicle owners to restart their livelihoods by availing themselves of bank loans. Loans made through banking/non-banking institutions that are members of the District Level Bankers’ Committee are eligible for assistance under the Ujjeevana loan scheme.