State Ought To Furnish SDRF 'Utilisation Certificate' Before Seeking Additional Funds From Centre: Kerala HC In Wayanad Landslide Case

The Kerala High Court directed the state government to explain the utilization of State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) expenses. The Court sought clarification from the government regarding the certification of the authority for the utilization certificates and the allocation of additional funds. The state has been asked to provide detailed reports on how SDRF funds were spent, the entities responsible for certifying the expenditure, and how additional funds were deployed during disaster relief efforts. This ruling highlights the need for transparency in the utilization of public funds, especially for disaster management and relief operations.