Kochi: After stories of the devastation across the state of Kerala spread across the world, several foreign countries were reported to have pledged huge sums of money as aid for the ailing state. One such generous donation came from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to the tune of Rs 700 crore… or so it was reported.
After the Centre’s alleged rejection of the aid of Rs 700 Crore from the Gulf country, there has been a huge uproar across the nation and allegations are being made that the news of the donation is false. UAE’s Ambassador in India has come out, denying that such a large sum of money was ever pledged by the country and added that the assessment of relief was currently underway.
“I don’t think that an amount has been finalised as the assessment is still ongoing. The amount has not been announced,” Ambassador Dr Ahmed Albanna told The Indian Express.
Reportedly, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told the prime minister that the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi had offered an aid of Rs 700 Crore to the state. However, after the Ministry of External Affairs had reportedly rejected the aid from the UAE citing India’s policy on “meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation through domestic efforts”, the government of Kerala began to criticise the Centre and a huge political game of tug-of-war ensued.
The Kerala unit of the BJP on Friday, August 24, addressed the media and said that the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had not announced financial aid of $100 million for the flood-ravaged state and demanded that CM Vijayan reveal the source who told him about the assistance.
State BJP Chief P S Sreedharan Pillai said, “We want Vijayan to explain about this news and from where he received it. After the Centre expressed reservations in accepting the aid, a vicious smear campaign was unleashed against the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.”
UAE’s Ambassador to India told The Indian Express that only a national emergency committee was established by the UAE’s Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and that the aim of the committee was to source funds, aid materials, medicines and other necessary items for the people of Kerala. He also added that the committee was coordinating with the Indian government authorities on the issue as they are well aware of India’s rules regarding financial aid, while also coordinating with local authorities for immediate relief efforts.
With inputs from IANS
