Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Monday launched a scathing attack on the Centre, accusing it of adopting a discriminatory approach to Kerala and posing hurdles to the State’s efforts to raise resources for post-flood reconstruction.
Addressing the media here on Monday after a five-day visit to the UAE to mobilise funds for the Rebuild Kerala project, Mr.Vijayan flayed the Centre for its negative attitude to the State. Referring to the Centre’s denial of permission for Ministers to fly abroad for the resource mobilisation campaign, he said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had initially adopted a favourable stance to the State’s proposal.
Mr.Vijayan said his mission to the UAE was to seek the help of Non-Resident Keralites for the ambitious reconstruction project and not to beg for funds as alleged by the BJP. Pointing out that Gujarat had in the past accepted foreign assistance for reconstruction after natural calamities, he said the Centre’s attitude towards Kerala smacked of discrimination.
Says UAE visit a success
Mr.Vijayan said his visit to the UAE was a major success. “Though the UAE administration had promised an assistance of ₹700 crore, we can hope to collect more funds than expected; such was the reception we received.”
The delegation accompanying Mr.Vijayan held discussions with various charitable and humanitarian foundations, including the Emirates Red Crescent. It also held talks with business houses and entrepreneurs to explore the possibility of investments in various sectors in Kerala.
Mr.Vijayan said the Dubai-based ports major DP World had expressed interest in a joint venture to set up a logistics park and industrial park. It was also interested in the development of the inland waterway project from Thiruvananthapuram to Kasaragod and the development of ports.
