Allow Cookies!
By using our website, you agree to the use of cookies
When the country reels under the massive loss caused by Kerela Floods, a Writ Petition has been filed in the Supreme Court that challenges centre’s policy of refusing foreign aid to the State for the flood relief. The petition has been filed by Binky Viswam, who is am MP of Rajya Sabha and a member of the Communist Party of India. The petition has been filed under article 32 of the Constitution.
The petition seeks permission from the Court to let the Centre allow Kerala to accept foreign aid offered to it from various countries and sources like United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar, Maldives, Thailand and United Nations. The acceptance of foreign aid is in consonance with section 35(g) of the Disaster Management Act 2005, clause 3.3.3 of National Policy on Disaster Management 2009 and clause 9.2 and 9.3 of the National Disaster Management Plan 2016.
The flood losses were estimated to be around 21000 crores. The Attar had approached the Centre to release an amount of 1200 crores. The centre has released Rs 100 crores and on protests had released an additional Rs. 500 crore.
The petition has been filed through advocates Sriram P and Sarath Janardhan who says that many Arab countries are offering help because of the special bond that they share with Kerala due to its expatriate community. UAE offered 700 crores and Qatar offered Rd. 35 Crores. The centre however would not let it accept foreign aid due to its policy of not accepting foreign help unless absolutely necessary. This is contended to be violating articles 14 and 21 of the Constitution of India. It is arbitrary and the centre can’t do this without looking at the estimation or consulting the State Government. Kerala cannot support itself and that is why the foreign aid is necessary especially when the centre is not releasing adequate funds. Refusing this , is refusing fundamental rights to the State, contended the petitioner.
86540
103860
630
114
59824