Pinarayi Vijayan seeks Rs 2,600 crore special package; Centre likely to turn down UAE offer

With rescue operations almost coming to an end in Kerala, the state government is now faced with the ominous task of restoring and repairing infrastructure that was destroyed in the floods and landslides. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan Tuesday sought Rs 2,600 crore assistance from the Centre for relief and rehabilitation work.  He also announced that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) will be contributing Rs 700 crore towards the flood relief efforts in the state. But despite the offer, the government may turn it down as India has not been accepting foreign aid money since 2004. In the past 14 years, India has refused aid from Russia, US and Japan for Uttarakhand floods in 2013, and for the Kashmir earthquake in 2005 and floods in Kashmir in 2014. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his visit last week, had announced an assistance of Rs 500 crore in addition to the Rs 100 crore announced by Home Minister Rajnath Singh.