By Prarthana Mitra
The Modi government has found itself in another precarious situation over Kerala, where days of heavy rain and the resultant flooding has resulted in a “calamity of severe nature” that has left over 400 dead, with no sign of retreat. The Centre on Tuesday denied aid offered by foreign countries in support of the victims, and is said to have turned own an aid package of Rs. 700 crore, sent by the UAE government for the relief fund.
Why?
Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, called up Prime Minister Narendra Modi and made the offer for assistance,” Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan announced on Tuesday after a cabinet meeting.
Soon after, Vijayan sought a Rs. 2,600 crore special package from the NDA government under centrally-sponsored schemes.
However, the Centre reportedly refused the UAE’s offer, declaring that it will decline all such offers and rely solely on domestic effort. Government sources have said the decision harks back to Manmohan Singh-era policy to not accept foreign aid to handle disasters and the aftermath.
Notably, although the government has refused foreign assistance towards reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts in the state, foreign organisations are not exempt from donating.
Besides, the offer of foreign aid comes with diplomatic ramifications: who’s offer do you accept, and who’s do you reject without causing a diplomatic crisis?
Here’s what happened in the Manmohan Singh era
After the tsunami in 2004, then Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had refused bilateral assistance from foreign governments with the assurance that Indians can take care of themselves. A central aid of Rs. 2,600 crore was disbursed at the time, and with private donations, Tamil Nadu (which was the worst affected region) received cumulative aid worth Rs. 5,700 crore. India also donated about $26 million towards relief operations and rehabilitation in Sri Lanka and Indonesia, other countries that has been hot hard by the tsunami.
The policy was also deployed during the heavy floods in Uttarakhand in 2013. Despite the death toll crossing 5000, Singh refused foreign aid worth Rs. 90 lakhs from the US and other countries. Even without the foreign aid, the Centre was able to offer an aid package of Rs.1000 crore to the northern state. The Congress-led government had further requested foreign countries to reroute their donations to an Indian NGO of their choice, one that was working for flood relief and rescue. While it did not accept aid from foreign governments, the Singh government did accept aid from the World Bank, which committed to giving a loan of $250 million for the reconstruction of flood-ravaged Uttarakhand.
What is happening in Kerala?
The Modi government has announced a Rs. 500 crore aid package for Kerala, a move that has drawn widespread flak for the grossly inadequate amount; the state is estimated to have suffered losses of Rs. 20,000 crore and has sought increased central government assistance in reconstruction and rehabilitation efforts.
Kerala, a state which ordinarily receives the most rainfall this time of the year, recently surpassed all records with one of the most severe floods to have ever hit the state. With an excess rainfall of 30% in the last two months, there is still no end in sight to the torrential rain. Besides densely populated districts like Ernakulam, Kottayam and Thiruvananthapuram, Idukki district which has major dams has received 70% excess rainfall this year.
The situation has escalated to devastating proportions, with several districts seeing massive landslides and scores of casualties already. Thousands have been rescued and rehabilitated to relief camps in Thiruvananthapuram and other highlands. Although shutters of 35 of the 39 dams have been opened to release water, fourteen districts continue to be under red alert. Kochi metro and airport is supposed to be closed till August 26, as pre-emptive measures against the unprecedented floods. With the rain showing no signs of cessation, evacuation adn relief operations are underway with help from the armed forces.
Flawed decision?
The Modi government has cited a Singh era policy to refuse financial assistance from UAE, and possibly other countries. There is some moral merit in India refusing assistance from other countries since it wants to be able to provide for and help its states recover on its own. But shouldn’t the present situation see a different outcome?
Although accepting the offer of foreign aid is the government’s decision, according to the National Disaster Management Plan, one cannot ignore immediate need. The fact remains that Kerala needs all the help it can get to recovery from the devastation.
The Centre has offered help, but it is woefully insufficient for Kerala. The state government has made repeated requests for additional assistance, and the political opposition and citizens alike have urged the Modi government to do more. Perhaps after refusing UAE’s generous offer, the Centre will be forced to recognise it needs to assist the state more.
Prarthana Mitra is a staff writer at Qrius