Kudumbashree loan scheme: Minister hands over cheques to those hit by landslide

Kozhikode: The special loan scheme implemented by the state govt for Kudumbashree members affected by the Mundakkai–Chooralmala landslide disaster has started off with minister O R Kelu handing over the cheques. The cheques were handed over to the CDS chairperson from Meppadi panchayat. A total of Rs 8.5 crore in interest-free loans will be provided to 434 Kudumbashree members who were affected by the disaster. For this purpose, Rs 1.94 crore has been allocated to Kudumbashree from the chief minister's distress relief fund. Under the scheme, each affected member will receive an interest-free loan of Rs two lakh. As per the project guidelines, each neighbourhood group (ayalkoottam) will be eligible for a loan of Rs 20 lakh. The scheme is being implemented in cooperation with Kerala Gramin Bank, Central Bank of India and Bank of Baroda. Women from the three landslide-hit wards of Meppadi panchayat in Wayanad had jointly mailed letters to various banks seeking complete waiver of loans taken before the 2024 disaster. The collective included members of 67 Kudumbashree units from Chooralmala, Mundakkai and Attamala, where hundreds of families were devastated by last year's landslide. According to Kudumbashree volunteers, around 700 women were part of the Kudumbashree units, of whom 285 were directly affected and 47 Kudumbashree members had lost their lives.