Amid ongoing political slugfest over accepting foreign aid for relief work in Kerala, the UAE Ambassador has said that there has been no official announcement on the amount of financial aid.
Amid ongoing political slugfest over accepting foreign aid for relief work in Kerala, the UAE Ambassador has said that there has been no official announcement on the amount of financial aid.
The Ambassador's remark comes amid the Home Ministry statement that the governments will not take any financial assistance from foreign governments in sync with an existing policy.
Earlier this week, Kerala Chief Minister Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan had said that the government of the United Arab Emirates has pledged to provide a sum of 100 million US dollars (700 crore) to Kerala. Around three million Indians live and work in the UAE, out of which 80% are from Kerala, according to official figures.
However, speaking to Indian Express, UAE Ambassador Ahmed Albanna said that there has been no official announcement. “The assessment of relief needed for the flood and aftermath is ongoing. Announcing any specific amount as financial aid, I don’t think it is final since it is still ongoing,” the Ambassador said.
“Yes, that is correct. It is not yet final (Rs 700 cr). It has not been announced,” Albanna said.
The Kerala government is keen to accept the donations from the UAE. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said the state government would approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clear hurdles, if any, in receiving the aid offered to the state by the United Arab Emirates.
External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that the Government of India deeply appreciates offers from several countries, including from foreign governments, to assist in relief and rehabilitation efforts after the tragic floods.
CPI(M) Kerala state secretary has Kodiyeri Balakrishnan said Centre should make changes in the convention to get Kerala assistance from foreign countries. "The refusal to accept foreign assistance is an act of vengeance," Balakrishnan said. Congress termed the centre's decision as 'disappointing.'
Meanwhile, the Centre has said Rs 600 crore released two days ago to flood-hit Kerala was only the advance assistance and additional funds would be released when an inter-ministerial team visits the state again and assesses the situation.
The floods in Kerala, worst in a century, have claimed lives of 231 people besides rendering over 14 lakh people homeless
The state has suffered an estimated loss of Rs 20,000 crore (as per a preliminary estimate) and had sought an interim assistance of Rs 2,600 crore from the Centre, besides a special package of a similar amount under the Mahatma Gandhi Rural Employment Guarantee.
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