New York: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan sought financial assistance from Malayalis living in America towards rebuilding the state after last month’s calamity, and has estimated a contribution of Rs 150 crore from the community on this count.
Addressing US Malayalis after his medical treatment here, the CM suggested a system that will entrust the funds with the state finance minister who is to visit America from October 18. Vijayan called upon the community to become members of the Global Salary Challenge that seeks a month’s pay from Malayalis the world over in the aftermath of the August floods and landslides.
The CM also urged for crowd funding as a means to muster funds, adding that its use in the 'Nava Kerala' project will be carried out with extreme transparency. The state requires funds other than central grants to rehabilitate its people, he added.
Rebuilding Kerala amounts to providing better facilities beyond rehabilitation. For this, Kerala invites US-based Malayali entrepreneurs to start businesses in their native state. Even a summit can be organised if such offers come in a big way, he said.
