Let Kerala impose cess on GST to fund rebuilding: State FM Thomas Isaac

Estimated loss is around Rs 200-300 billion, says the Kerala Finance Minister

Kerala has seen one of the worst floods in its history during this monsoon. From August 8 to 20, nearly 223 people have lost their lives, 33 are missing and around 1.2 million individuals from 3,02,441 families are in 3,941 relief camps. Initial loss is estimated to be at around Rs 200 billion.

With the rescue measures in its last leg, the Kerala government is looking at raising funds to rebuild the state. In an interaction with Gireesh Babu and T E Narasimhan, Kerala Finance Minister T M Thomas Isaac says he has a three-pronged strategy to raise funds. Edited