Kerala Government Assures No Salary Deductions Without Consent for CMDRF Contributions Amid Wayanad Landslide Relief Efforts
The Finance department of the Kerala government has clarified that the salaries of employees who have not provided consent will not be deducted for contributions to the Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). Additional Chief Secretary (Finance) A. Jayathilak made this announcement on Saturday.
In the wake of the Wayanad disaster, the government had requested employees to contribute five days’ salary to the CMDRF. However, Dr. Jayathilak assured that those who have not submitted a consent letter will not have any deductions made from their salaries. Additionally, Dr. Jayathilak confirmed that there are currently no obstacles in the SPARK system for employees who wish to apply for a PF loan, even if they have not consented to the salary deduction.
The Kerala Cabinet has decided to distribute free Onam kits to all ration cardholders in areas in Wayanad that were affected by the recent landslides, said the Chief Minister’s office. The Onam kits will contain 13 essential food items. Onam is an annual harvest festival in Kerala and it is also an official festival of the state. The Cabinet has also decided to distribute free Onam kits to Antyodaya Anna Yojana cardholders and residents of welfare institutions across the state.
The Wayanad landslide occurred on July 30 this year. The disaster affected nearly 47.37 km2 of the Meppadi Gram Panchayat in Wayanad. The death toll stands at over 400. The worst-affected areas include Chooralmala, Muthanga, and Mundakkai.
On August 14, the Kerala cabinet subcommittee said that financial assistance of Rs 10,000 each has been made available to 379 families directly affected by the landslides. Payment was made through bank accounts. Those who have lost their passbook, and those who do not remember their account number, if they inform which bank the account is in, the concerned bank will find and deposit the money. For those who do not remember the bank details, the amount will be paid based on the person’s address by checking with the banks. If this is not available, then a new account will be opened at zero balance and the amount will be paid.
Doubts Revealed
Kerala Government -: Kerala is a state in the southern part of India. The government there is responsible for making decisions and taking actions for the people living in Kerala.
Salary Deductions -: This means taking some money out of a person’s salary. In this case, it is about taking money to help with relief efforts.
Consent -: Consent means giving permission. Here, it means that the government will not take money from salaries unless the person agrees to it.
CMDRF -: CMDRF stands for Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund. It is a fund used to help people in emergencies like natural disasters.
Wayanad Landslide -: A landslide is when a lot of earth and rocks slide down a hill or mountain. Wayanad is a place in Kerala where this happened, causing damage and loss of lives.
Onam Kits -: Onam is a big festival in Kerala. Onam kits are packages with food and other items given to people to help them celebrate the festival.
SPARK system -: SPARK is an online system used by the Kerala government for managing employee information, including salary and loans.
PF loans -: PF stands for Provident Fund, which is money saved by employees for their future. PF loans are loans taken from this saved money.