Amidst the nonconcurrence between the Centre and Kerala government on the former’s denial of accepting foreign financial assistance, especially Rs 700 crore offered by the UAE for the flood-hit Kerala, the Gulf country’s ambassador told The Indian Express on Thursday that his country has not made any official announcements regarding a specific amount as financial aid, reported The News Minute.
The Indian Express quoted UAE Ambassador Ahmed Albanna as saying, “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.”
When asked that his country has not declared a financial aid of Rs 700 crore for the flood-destroyed Kerala, he replied, “Yes, that is correct. It is not yet final. It has not been announced.”
The issue came into the limelight earlier this week when Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said that Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, had made an offer of Rs 700 crore as financial help to Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the phone.
Ambassador Albanna told The Indian Express, “All that has happened is that UAE’s Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum has formed a national emergency committee. The main goal was to look into sourcing out funds, aid material, medicines and other things for our friendly people and friends in Kerala, who have been hit by the unfortunate flood.”
He added, “The committee is coordinating with the federal authorities, since we know and understand the financial aid rules in India. And, it is also coordinating with the local authorities for immediate aid in terms of relief and food material.”
UAE Ambassador stated, “We are working through the organisations like Red Crescent in UAE, and organisations in the state of Kerala as well as others based in India.”
After Centre outrightly denied accepting any foreign assistance citing “existing policy”, several leaders in Kerala have condemned the Modi led NDA government.
CM Vijayan had told IE that UAE cannot be considered “any other nation”. He said, “As I understand, UAE on its own has proposed this aid. UAE cannot be considered as any other nation, as their rulers have underlined. Indians, especially Keralites have contributed immensely in their nation-building.”
Former Kerala CM Oommen Chandy had also earlier written to PM Narendra Modi requesting him to make suitable changes in the existing policies so that the Centre can accept foreign financial assistance for Kerala. He also termed Centre’s decision as “disappointing”. He wrote, “Policies should be as such to eradicate the sufferings of the people. If there exist any obstacles against the acceptance of foreign financial aid, kindly look in to the matter seriously and bring suitable modifications.”
Kerala has faced a devastation of Rs 20,000 crore in the deluge. More than 370 people have lost their lives and almost 1.2 million people have been displaced from their homes and are living in relief camps.