Any unconditional financial support should be accepted: Rahul Gandhi
Kochi, Aug 29 : Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday said that any unconditional financial support from anywhere should be accepted, as it will bring solace to flood-hit Kerala.
Gandhi made the remark while speaking to reporters before beginning his second day trip to the flood-ravaged areas of the state.
He was responding to a question on India's 'rejection' of funds to the tune of $100 million offered by the UAE government for flood relief work.
"My personal opinion is any unconditional offer of funds to reduce pain and sufferings should be taken," said Gandhi.
On the question of the support from the Centre to the state, he said that it was sad that the Centre had not really supported the way Kerala wanted.
"This is Kerala's right and they should give more," said Gandhi. He said he was in the state to express his solidarity with the people who were suffering and not to do politics.
Gandhi arrived in Thiruvananthapuram on Tuesday and visited half a dozen camps in the southern districts of the state, where the flood had hit hard.
Gandhi was scheduled to travel to the hilly district of Wayanad in north Kerala. However, due to bad weather it was cancelled and instead he opted to go to Idukki.
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Karnataka govt seeks agency to manage rural drinking water units: Minister
Belagavi (Karnataka) (PTI): Karnataka Minister Priyank Kharge on Wednesday said the state government is working to appoint an agency to manage clean drinking water units in rural areas.
The state Rural Development and Panchayat Raj minister was responding to a question by Hirekerur MLA U B Banakar in the legislative assembly.
"In the rural areas of the state, many clean drinking water units have been set up under corporate social responsibility (CSR) grants, including contributions by MLAs and MPs, and handed over to gram panchayats. After the maintenance period, problems have arisen in keeping these units operational," Priyank said.
He added that a proposal has been made to award a maintenance contract to one of the country’s reputed drinking water unit manufacturing companies, but so far, no companies have come forward to take up the work.
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"The government is continuing its efforts and will resolve this problem soon," he said.
On a query regarding fluoride content in water, the minister said water quality testing is being conducted monthly in all zilla panchayats.
"Laboratories have been opened for this purpose. Around 6.5 lakh water samples have been tested across the state, and water testing kits have been provided to villages," he added.
