Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said the state government will initiate high-level discussions with the Centre to enable the transfer of funds from the UAE government in the wake of the floods in the state.
"The National Disaster Management policy provides provisions to accept voluntary offers from foreign nations in the wake of calamities," the chief minister said in response to reports of the Centre's reluctance to accept UAE aid worth Rs 700 crore.
The chief minister further added that people from across the country and the state have come forward, irrespective of differences, to help Kerala tide over the calamity of floods,
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"So far, a total of Rs 318 crore has been collected for the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund. Of this, Rs 146 crore comes from various states, which contributed generously. This is apart from the contribution in the form of food grains from states like Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and Tamil Nadu," an official release read.
The statement comes shortly after the Official Spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Raveesh Kumar clarified the government's stance on acceptance of aid from the UAE.
"In line with the existing policy, the Government is committed to meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation through domestic efforts. Contributions to the Prime Minister's Relief Fund and the Chief Minister's Relief Fund from NRIs, PIOs and international entities such as foundations would, however, be welcome," he noted.
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Kumar also stated that there would be no change in the existing policy in regard to foreign aids. However, he expressed gratitude towards countries offering financial assistance to Kerala, which is witnessing the worst flood in many years.
On Tuesday, the Indian government stated that it will stick to its long-standing policy of not accepting monetary help from foreign countries. In a note to all Indian Missions around the world, the government directed its respective envoys to politely turn down the financial assistance from foreign countries, saying that the Government of India decided to "rely solely on domestic efforts" to combat the challenges.
While the southern state is reeling under the massive devastation caused by flash floods from the onset of monsoon, the entire country has come together to help the state limp back to normalcy. Chief Ministers from various states have also announced aid from their relief funds.
CM To Visit Relief Camps
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday will conduct an in-person review of the functioning of relief camps in Chengannur, Kozhencherry, Alappuzha, North Paravoor and Chalakudy.
According to the government figures, torrential monsoon rains from the end of May onwards have forced an estimated 1.2 million people in the state to shelter inside makeshift relief camps.
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As water is receding in the flood-ravaged Kerala, people of the state are having a tough time to rebuild their lives all over again. They have lost their near and dear ones, all their belongings and most importantly all their documents have gone missing in the flood. And that is the biggest fear and they need to start everything from the scratch.
A 68-year-old man committed suicide at his home as he was unable to get over the shock of what was left of his dwelling at Kothad in Ernakulam district, close on the heels of a teenaged boy from Kozhikode taking his life after his certificates were destroyed in the floods.
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In order to help Kerala limp back to normalcy, Centre and several states have announced aid from their relief funds.
Officials on Wednesday said flight operations from flood-hit Kochi international airport, which has remained closed for more than a week, will resume from August 29, instead of August 26, as it would require more time to mobilise the workforce, most of whom had been affected by the floods.
With the rescue operations in the affected areas nearing a close, the government turned its attention to rehabilitating people, days after the monsoon fury ravaged the state claiming
231 lives and forcing more than 14.50 lakh out of their homes.
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Agencies
