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Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Kerala minister slams Centre for foreign aid nod to Maharashtra
Kerala finance minister KN Balagopal accused the BJP-led Union government of bias and violating federal principles after the latter permitted the Maharashtra government to accept foreign donations for the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). On Sunday, the Kerala FM told reporters that while the state was not opposed to Maharashtra getting foreign aid to deal with impact of natural disasters, the law must be made equal for all states. He pointed out that the Union government had denied permission to Kerala to accept foreign aid in the backdrop of the century's worst floods in 2018 even as other countries like UAE were ready with offers to help. 'It is a good thing for any state, dealing with disasters, to get help. Granting approval to the state is also good. But the Union government's stand over this clearly reeks of political bias. When floods affected almost every part of Kerala, the state had stood up to ask for aid. There were Malayalis from around the world and other countries that were willing to help. But the Union government did not permit the state. Now, Maharashtra has been permitted for the same. Naturally, it begs the question whether it's because both the governments in the state and the Union are led by the same party,' said Balagopal. Such a stand impediments the belief that all states are treated equally by the Union government, Balagopal alleged. 'Can the people of Kerala or any other state be blamed if they feel that the Union government treats every state differently especially when states face great crises. It's stand does not help the values of federalism,' the FM said. Balagopal underlined that the BJP-led government has not announced a financial package for the state in the light of the massive landslides in Wayanad last year. He said that while the PM visited the areas where the landslides took place and recently came to the state to commission the Vizhinjam international seaport, both occasions did not see an announcement on the relief package. 'There should be equal justice in such matters. Everyone expects the rule of law and equity in such circumstances. It's not disasters and sufferings of people, but politics that is the criterion for the Union government to take such decisions. It is unbecoming of administrators,' the finance minister said. Last week, the Maharashtra CM Relief Fund had been accorded a license under the Foreign Contributions (Regulation) Act 2010, making it eligible to receive aid from individuals and countries. It was reportedly given the approval after it fulfilled all the criteria.
The Hindu
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Hindu
Foreign aid nod to Maharashtra: Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal slams Centre for unfair treatment
Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal has accused the Union government of bias in permitting Maharashtra to accept foreign aid for its Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). Responding to the Centre's decision, Mr. Balagopal said here on Sunday that Kerala had been denied permission to accept aid from outside the country in the aftermath of the devastating 2018 floods. The Union government had denied permission despite the offers for assistance from abroad, he recalled. Mr. Balagopal said that Kerala was not against Maharashtra receiving foreign aid, but it was important that the Union government saw all States on an equal footing. Discrimination He said that it would not be surprising if Keralites felt that even in moments of great crisis, there was discrimination among States. 'Any State receiving aid in a crisis is a good thing. Giving permission to accept the aid is also a good thing. But the Centre's approach gives room for doubt that the decision is driven by political bias,' he said. Mr. Balagopal said it was quite unbecoming of administrators when politics became the yardstick and not the magnitude of disasters. Such approaches also failed to uphold federal principles, he said. The Kerala Finance Minister's remarks come close on the heels of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs granting the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act (FCRA), 2010, registration to Maharashtra's CMDRF, thereby enabling it to receive foreign donations for 'social' programmes. No aid post-landslides Mr. Balagopal also recalled that, following the 2024 landslides in Wayanad, Kerala had expected Prime Minister Narendra Modi to announce assistance on two occasions—during his visit to the disaster sites and later when he dedicated the Vizhinjam port to the nation. On both occasions, the State was disappointed, he said.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Kin of girl who contracted HIV during blood transfusion being compensated, state govt tells Kerala high court
Kochi: The state govt has informed high court that an order has been issued sanctioning appropriate financial aid to the father of a nine-year-old girl who allegedly contracted HIV during a blood transfusion at the Regional Cancer Centre (RCC), Thiruvananthapuram, and died in 2018. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Health and family welfare additional chief secretary Rajan Khobragade submitted in an affidavit that necessary instructions had also been issued to the revenue (disaster relief fund) department to take further steps for disbursing the financial assistance from the chief minister's disaster relief fund (CMDRF) on an urgent basis, vide order dated May 12. The affidavit was filed in response to a petition submitted by the girl's father, seeking adequate financial aid to help the family cope with the mental trauma caused by the child's untimely death and to relieve the financial burden from prolonged medical treatment. The girl, initially suspected to be suffering from leukaemia, was treated at the Medical College Hospital, Alappuzha, and later referred to RCC. She underwent 49 blood transfusions during her treatment. According to the petitioner, one of the blood donors was later found to be HIV-positive. He alleged that his daughter, who was HIV-negative at the start of treatment, contracted the infection during her treatment at RCC. However, the affidavit stated that RCC was of the considered view that the child and her family were provided full medical, psycho-social and emotional support throughout the unfortunate episode and that no lapses could be attributed to the RCC. The RCC had not recommended compensation, contending that the cause of death was not HIV infection. It was also submitted that RCC does not maintain any funds for compensating deaths or accidents arising from contingent events linked to the institution. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The affidavit also included technical details regarding the current blood testing equipment used at RCC, highlighting the advancements in technology, including the make, model, and its superiority over the equipment in use at the relevant time.
Time of India
15-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Cabinet clears 351cr for Wayanad township plan
Thiruvananthapuram: The state cabinet on Wednesday granted administrative sanction for Rs 351 crore for the Wayanad township programme. Work on the project will commence once KIIFCON, a subsidiary of KIIFB, issues technical clearance. The cabinet also gave conditional approval for appointing Mumbai-based STUP Consultants Ltd to prepare the detailed project report for the proposed Sabarimala greenfield international airport. The consultancy fee, fixed by KSIDC, is Rs 4.366 crore. A committee led by the chief secretary has been tasked with resolving implementation hurdles for the airport project. The cabinet approved covering the medical expenses of renowned sculptor Kanayi Kunhiraman, who is undergoing treatment in a private hospital. The funds will be released from the chief minister's distress relief fund (CMDRF). Approval was also given to a Rs 57.56 crore project under the PM JANMAN scheme for electrifying 261 tribal houses across 22 tribal settlements in the state. In addition, projects worth Rs 2.76 crore for electrifying 84 more houses will be submitted to the govt. The cabinet cleared the Asian Development Bank-funded 24x7 drinking water project to be implemented by the Kochi Municipal Corporation under the Kerala Urban Water Supply Improvement Project. A consultancy contract for the loan implementation support unit will be signed for Rs 299 crore.
