Vijayan has said that the Centre has offered all its support in tackling the floods
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan in an interview, while talking about the floods in Kerala has praised the Centre for its positive and forthcoming response to the situation.
In an interview with Economic Times, Vijayan said, "I need to make it clear in no uncertain terms that the Government of India was forthcoming and responded positively. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Rajnath Singh visited the flood-hit areas and have been understanding the situation fully. The Army, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard have been fully involved with the recue operations from the beginning and were part of the planning and execution," he said.
While speaking about the interaction with PM Modi, Vijayan added that a preliminary report on the destruction and misery has already been submitted to them. "I am sure that the PM has understood the gravity, and his responses have been positive. Due to his intervention, the cabinet secretary has been interacting with our team." he added.
Interestingly, Vijayan has also lauded the Centre for their prompt action on Twitter.
While responding to Congress' criticism of the Centre donating only Rs 500 crore, Vijayan said that it was an interim advance. "The Centre actually provided us Rs 600 crore - Rs 100 crore after the first spell, and Rs 500 crore now - and I am hopeful that they will assess the situation and grant more assistance in the next few days," he added.
Earlier, Vijayan said that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has offered financial assistance of Rs 700 crore.
Vijayan's also said that Kerala Cabinet has decided to recommend to the Governor to convene a special assembly session on August 30th to discuss relief, rehabilitation, and reconstruction.
"Your contribution to disaster relief fund no matter how big or small it is, will be issued to deserving people. Request each one of you to contribute to CMDRF to support our mission to rebuild lives in the impacted areas," Vijayan said on Twitter.
The Centre has declared the devastating floods in Kerala a 'calamity of severe nature' as the state braced for the gigantic task of reconstruction of destroyed infrastructure and rehabilitation.
On Saturday, Narendra Modi announced immediate financial assistance of Rs 500 crore for rain-battered Kerala, after reviewing the flood situation in the state.
Modi also announced an ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh per person to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to those seriously injured from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund, a Prime Minister's Office statement said.
With flood water level receding in many places, people have started returning to their homes and begun cleaning operations.
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Scenes from Kerala")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}