India is unlikely to accept the financial assistance the foreign governments, including the UAE, have offered after the disastrous flood in Kerala. According to reports, highly-placed sources in the Union government said that though India was grateful for these offers, it wants to use its own resources for the rehabilitation work in the state.
The UAE government on Tuesday announced a relief of Rs 700 crore ($100 million) to Kerala where torrential monsoon rains triggered the century's worst flood, killing hundreds of people and leaving a trail of destruction.
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However, sources said the Narendra Modi government at the Centre has taken a considered decision to rely solely on domestic efforts to tide over the situation in Kerala.
The legal hurdle that might block the much needed aid to Kerala is a policy which was enacted in 2004 to not take financial aid from foreign countries. India had rejected foreign assistance after the 2004 tsunami and 2013 Uttarakhand flood.
However, the National Disaster Management Plan 2016 clearly states that if a foreign country voluntarily offers help, the Union government may accept it. While elaborating upon international cooperation, the policy says, "In consultation with the concerned State Government, the MHA will assess the response requirements that the foreign teams can provide."
As a matter of policy, the Government of India does not issue any appeal for foreign assistance in the wake of a disaster. However, if the national government of another country voluntarily offers assistance as a goodwill gesture in solidarity with the disaster victims, the Central Government may accept the offer. The Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India is required to coordinate with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, which is primarily responsible for reviewing foreign offers of assistance and channelizing the same. In consultation with the concerned State Government, the MHA will assess the response requirements that the foreign teams can provide.
On Tuesday, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed the media about UAE's decision to give a relief of Rs 700 crore.
If the Centre decides to stick to technicalities, Kerala might not be able to accept financial aid the foreign countries have offered—Qatar has offered Rs 35 crore while Maldives has decided to donate Rs 35 lakh.
Kerala Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac said the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund has so far received Rs 210 crore in donations.
Heavy rains accompanied by flash floods and series of landslides ravaged the tourist state where more than 300 people have died and 10 lakh have been forced into relief camps.