Kerala Floods: Centre Firm on Not Accepting Foreign Assistance, But May Allow Funds Under Other ‘Schemes’

However, the financial aid from foreign countries, if accepted, will be subject to the existing norms and procedures.

New Delhi: While the Centre made its stand clear on Wednesday that it will not accept any assistance from foreign governments for flood-ravaged Kerala in sync with a 15-year-old policy, it may treat some offers as “humanitarian aid or reconstruction plans under other schemes”, according to some reports.

However, the financial aid from foreign countries, if accepted, will be subject to the existing norms and procedures.

On Wednesday, an ambassador from Thailand Chutintorn Gongsakdi tweeted that Indian has made it clear that will not accept foreign aid for flood relief in Kerala. While he indicate that Thailand is also planning to offer financial assistance to the flood-hit state, he did not reveal about the amount.

Reports also suggested that there is little chance of India accepting the Rs 700-crore aid offered by United Aram Emirates, which Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan is keen to take for the reconstruction and rehabilitation of the flood-ravaged state.

Vijayan said the state government would approach Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clear hurdles, if any, in receiving the aid offered to the state by the United Arab Emirates.

Meanwhile, news agency PTI quoted sources saying that funds coming from the UAE through foundations or international entities will be acceptable.

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar also said contributions to the Prime Minister’s Relief Fund and the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund from NRIs (Non Resident Indians, PIOs (Persons of Indian Origin) and international entities such as foundations will be welcomed.

A Hindustan Times report quoted an official saying that there are “norms laid down in practice” going back a decade-and-a-half on receiving for aid for flood relief.

“GOI doesn’t accept bilateral aid for relief. There are humanitarian aid, which is different from this, or certain projects that are taken up later with external funding in these areas. This is something on which the government takes an appropriate call at a later stage,” the official was quoted as saying.

The change of government’s stance may mark a huge shift in policy. Since 2004, when the UPA government came into power, the Centre 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.

A number of countries have announced assistance for flood relief operations in Kerala. While the United Arab Emirates has offered USD 100 million (around Rs 700 crore), Qatar has pledged around Rs 35 crore and Maldives has announced a donation of USD 50,000 (Rs 35 lakh).

External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar on Wednesday said the government was committed to meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation in Kerala through domestic efforts.

“The Government of India deeply appreciates offers from several countries, including from foreign governments, to assist in relief and rehabilitation efforts after the tragic floods,” Kumar said.

“In line with the existing policy, the government is committed to meeting the requirements for relief and rehabilitation through domestic efforts,” he said, in response to a question on the issue.