No deduction from salary for CMDRF employees without consent: Kerala Finance Department

Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], August 25 (ANI): 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 said 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.

In 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,” the subcommittee said.