New Delhi: The central government has once again curbed Kerala's bids to rebuild after the devastating floods of August. The Centre has now disallowed Kerala ministers from travelling abroad to raise funds for reconstruction of the state. Besides, it has barred any raise in foreign loan limits for the state.
In August, the Centre had asserted that financial assistance declared by foreign countries cannot be accepted, even as countries such as the UAE had announced huge support for the state. It also hindered efforts by Thailand to provide support.
The Centre has granted permission for Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to visit Dubai for the fund-raiser, but with stringent conditions. Pinarayi and his ministers were scheduled to visit other countries from October 17 to 21 in a bid to collect funds for flood relief. The ministers wanted to take personal staff also with them, but the chief minister disallowed it.
Pinarayi's original travel plan shows his visit to Abu Dhabi is on the October 17. Dubai is set for on the 19th, and Sharjah, Ajman, Ras Al Khaimah, Umm Al Quwain and Fujairah subsequently.
The other ministers were to fly to destinations including Qatar, Kuwait, Singapore, Malaysia, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Germany, the United States, Canada and Sri Lanka. Ministers C Raveendranath, K Raju and K K Shylaja were not listed for the trips, without explaining why.
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