Hopeful Of Getting UAE Aid: Kerala CM Pinarayi Vijayan
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: As the Kerala government embarked on a fund mobilisation drive for reconstructing the flood-hit state, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said today he was hopeful of getting the offer of aid made by the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
His statement assumes significance in the wake of a row over the centre's refusal to accept UAE's reported offer of Rs. 700 crore to the flood-hit state.
At a function organised to honour IAS officers who coordinated in operations to rescue stranded people from flood affected areas, Mr Vijayan said several foreign countries have come forward to help the state.
Referring to the reported offer of Rs. 700 crore made by the UAE to carry out relief operations and centre's decision not to accept it, Mr Vijayan said he does not believe that the stand (of the Centre) would continue.
Noting that the state was receiving good support for fund mobilisation from the country and abroad, Mr Vijayan said the effort should be to make use of it properly.
The chief minister said the state government had asked for a special package to tide over the situation besides the compensation for the loss and damage caused in the devastating deluge.
However, he said there were limitations on part of the centre to fully compensate the loss and damage suffered by the state.
"So the state has to find resources to overcome the shortage of funds for taking up the rehabilitation and rebuilding exercise," Mr Vijayan added.
Alluding to the cabinet decision to appoint KPMG as project consultant partner for rebuilding the state, Mr Vijayan said, "We will not restrict the consultancy to one agency. We will ensure that we get the assistance of all."
As part of the fund mobilisation initiative, the cabinet has decided to seek financial aid from abroad through non-resident Keralites, from major cities in the country and also from educational institutions in the state.
As many as 483 people have lost lives in the state since the onset of the monsoon on May 28 and 14 were still missing.
courtesy : ndtv.com
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Gehlot changes profile pic to 'Save Aravalli', asks Centre to reconsider definition
Jaipur (PTI): Congress leader Ashok Gehlot on Thursday urged the Centre to reconsider its definition of the Aravallis, warning that any damage to the mountain range posed a serious threat to the ecological future of north India.
Gehlot, a former Rajasthan chief minister, changed his social media profile picture in support of the nationwide 'SaveAravalli' campaign amid growing debate over mining and environmental safeguards in the Aravalli Range.
It was his symbolic protest against the new interpretation under which hills lower than 100 metres are no longer being recognised as part of the Aravalli system, he said.
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"The Aravalli cannot be judged by tape measures or height alone. It must be assessed by its ecological importance," Gehlot said, adding that the revised definition raised "a big question" over the future of north India.
Appealing to the Centre and the Supreme Court, Gehlot said the issue must be reconsidered in the interest of future generations and environmental security. He also urged citizens to participate in the campaign by changing their display pictures online to draw attention to the issue.
He said the Aravalli range functioned as a natural green wall against the expansion of the Thar desert and extreme heatwaves, protecting Delhi, Haryana and western Uttar Pradesh. Opening up smaller hills and so-called gap areas for mining would allow desertification to advance rapidly, he warned.
Gehlot also flagged concerns over air pollution, saying the hills and forests of the Aravallis acted as the "lungs" of the National Capital Region by checking dust storms and absorbing pollutants.
"When pollution levels are so alarming even with the Aravalli standing, one can imagine how disastrous the situation will be without it," he said.
Highlighting the water crisis, the former chief minister said the rocky terrain of the Aravallis played a crucial role in groundwater recharge by channelising rainwater underground.
"If the hills are destroyed, drinking water shortages will intensify, wildlife will disappear and the entire ecology will be pushed into danger," he said.
Gehlot argued that, from a scientific perspective, the Aravallis was a continuous chain and that even smaller hillocks were as vital as higher peaks.
