Centre must immediately release 2000 cr for Kerala, demands Owaisi

All India Majlis-E-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) President Asaduddin Owaisi on Tuesday criticised Government of India for providing 500 crore of financial aid for relief and rehabilitation in Kerala and demanded the immediate release of 2000 crore rupees.

Speaking to ANI, Owaisi said, "As per initial assessment of the Kerala government, 20,000 crore worth of damages have happened in the state. 400 people have lost their lives, 8 lakh have been displaced, 1 lakh houses have been damaged and about 10,000 kilometre roads have been destroyed. It is very unfortunate that we allocate 2000-3000 crore for statues of great leaders, what about human beings of our country? I demand that the Government of India stops this step-motherly treatment and must immediately release 2000 crore rupees for Kerala".

Reacting to the reports of financial aid being offered by United Arab Emirates (UAE), Owaisi said, "I am really thankful to the rulers of UAE and especially the Vice-president of UAE Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum for coming forward to offer 700 crore for the relief and reconstruction of Kerala. They have realized the potential of people of Kerala. The chief minister has rightly demanded that Prime Minister must release 2000 crore. This is a national calamity".

Member of Parliament representing Hyderabad constituency, Owaisi also spoke about foreign remittance and stressed on the contribution of Kerala citizen in this regard. He said, "In 2017, 69 Billion dollar was the foreign remittance that India got which is nearly 2.8 per cent of our GDP. Kerala people got nearly 40 per cent of this amount. In 2015 1 lakh crore of foreign remittance came to Kerala. This is why we are criticizing the Government of India release of 500 crore as it is just a pittance".

The state of Kerala faced worst flooding in a century this monsoon season. The death toll due to the deluge has increased to 357, while the state has suffered a loss of Rs 19,512 crore. Centre and many Indian states have come forward with financial aids to help in relief and rehabilitation process.