Will ask...
It, however, added that individuals and foundations were welcome to send donations to government relief funds.
The Centre’s decision to turn down the UAE offer has come in for criticism from Kerala’s political parties. “It is only natural for nations to help each other,” said chief minister Pinyari Vijayan, as residents began long road to recovery, returning to their homes amid fears of outbreak of diseases amid receding floodwaters. Vijayan said the Narendra Modi-led government must either accept the UAE aid or compensate the state by that amount.
Alphons, the Union minister for tourism, said: “Now, the issue is whether we can change this policy? My stand is very clear. Kerala needs billions of dollars for reconstruction. Many people are in the relief camps and over 2 lakh houses have gone under water,” he said.
“There are two possibilities. One is that Indians should contribute a huge amount of money but how much of voluntary collection will come I don’t really know. Let the Indians contribute generously, not just the old clothes which they want to pass on. The other possibility is to take funds from abroad,” he added.
Torrential rain began in the state on August 8 and relented only earlier this week, leaving behind a trail of destruction, mud-covered houses, and shortage of electricity and clean drinking water. While the central government announced Rs 600 crore in assistance, Vijayan sought a package of Rs 2,600 crore for relief and rehabilitation. Kerala has estimated that the massive floods caused a loss of more than 20,000 crore to the state.
The ruling Left-government and the Opposition Congress in the state have urged the Centre to change the rules to facilitate foreign aid to the state.
Vijayan said he would talk to the Prime Minister over the issue. “Our people contributed immensely in building that nation (UAE) so it cannot be considered as a different country. There is a strong emotional boding between two nations,” he said.
Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan added to the list of nations offering aid to India on Thursday. “On behalf of the people of Pakistan, we send our prayers and best wishes to those who have been devastated by the floods in Kerala, India. We stand ready to provide any humanitar- ian assistance that may be needed,” the newly sworn-in Pakistan PM, who has spoken about the importance of peace efforts in the region, tweeted. Both Iran and South Korea have a strong presence in India’s PKL. Five players of the current Iranian team — Abozar Mohajermighani, Fazel Atrachali, Hadi Oshtorak, Mohsen Maghsoudloujafari and Abolfazl Maghsodloumahali — had featured in different PKL teams in the last edition. Atrachali was the highest-paid overseas player in the 2018 season.
“We possibly didn’t factor in that Iran has improved in leaps and bounds over the years. I don’t know by the time 2022 Asian Games are held, you might not see many of these current players. It is a historic defeat,” said two-time Asian Games gold medallist and former India captain Anup Kumar.