As Centre refuses UAE-aid, Kerala leaders say they need help
What's the story
The Rs. 700 crore aid offered to rain-ravaged Kerala by UAE took political undertones as the ministers of the southern state asked Narendra Modi-led Centre to accept the donation. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said he will try to remove 'impediments' in way of the aid, and stressed on the fact that Keralaites contributed immensely to UAE's nation-building. Here's more about this.
Policy
Backstory: India stopped taking help from foreign governments since 2004
As part of the existing policy, India doesn't take aid from foreign governments. This rule started after the 2004 tsunami when the then PM Manmohan Singh said India was capable of handling disasters on its own. Notably, foreign aid was denied during Uttarakhand and Kashmir floods, and Kashmir earthquake, from countries like Russia, US and Japan. Hence, this time, the Centre followed the same with Kerala.
Row
MEA says India can't take foreign help; leaders want change
On Wednesday, MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, "In line with the existing policy, the Government is committed to meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation through domestic efforts." Wading into the issue, Vijayan said he would speak to PM Modi about accepting the donation. He, however, said he didn't want to mix politics with it. Even the Congress asked Centre to reconsider the decision.
Reception
Congress and CPI(M) members want Centre to change rules
Former Defense Minister AK Antony said refusing aid would send the wrong signal as 6,00,000 Indians are employed in UAE. "If the rule was changed by the previous UPA regime I don't have any problem to say the Modi government should correct it," the Congress leader said. CPI (M)'s RS Ramachandran Pillai asked the Centre to not 'cling to technicalities' and added rules needed changes.
Details
Questioning Centre's aid, Kerala minister asks 'Why refuse help?'
Thomas Issac, Kerala's FM, also slammed Centre for obstructing the aid. He said when asked for Rs. 20 billion, Centre gave just Rs. 6 billion. "I don't know why they should deny some other government's help," he added. Further, former CM Oommen Chandy shot off a letter to Modi saying he was concerned that financial assistance was denied considering the magnitude of the crisis.
Relief work
Notably, donations from NRIs, charities, are acceptable
Apart from UAE, the Maldives had announced Rs. 35 lakh for Kerala's rehabilitation. It should be noted that this cap on accepting donations is only applicable to foreign governments, and not charities, or NRIs. Kerala witnessed its worst flood in 80 years. Nearly 400 people have died, and the state has incurred losses to the tune of Rs. 19,512 crore.