Maradu flat owners to get interim compensation of Rs 25 lakh after SC order

In what could be a breather for the embattled owners of the four flats constructed illegally in Kochi's Maradu region, the Supreme Court on Friday directed the Kerala government to disburse interim compensation Rs 25 lakh within four weeks. The amount will be recovered from the builders, the court added. "The remainder of the compensation amount may be decided by a committee that can be set up to valuate compensation amount," the bench added. 

"Our primary concern is illegal construction in coastal zone and disasters. We also want compensation to be given to flat owners. They should also have shelter," Justice Arun Mishra, one of the two judges hearing the case, said. 

It also proposed setting up a committee to evaluate the compensation amount, said the apex court after the Kerala government submitted its action plan on Friday. Kerala government will propose the names of retired judges for the committee to oversee the demolition process and for valuation of compensation, the court order stated. The next hearing in the matter will be on October 25.

The Supreme Court stated that the demolition of the flats would start and be concluded within the time frame of 120 days as submitted by the Kerala government in its action plan on Friday. 

Appearing for the Kerala government, senior counsel Harish Salve informed the court that the demolition process will take 90 days and another 30 days for removal of the debris. "A third-party agency will be hired by the state for the demolition process," the counsel assured the court.