Kerala floods: The centre said it will not accept foreign government aid for Kerala
The Goa government today sanctioned Rs 5 crore as the state's contribution towards the Kerala Chief Minister's relief fund, the Goa chief minister's office said in a statement.
In addition to contributing Rs 5 crore, "all employees of Goa government and autonomous bodies are expected to voluntarily contribute their one-day salary towards flood relief work in Kerala. Goa stands in solidarity with the people of Kerala," the statement added.
The announcement comes a day after Goa Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar returned from the US after treatment.
India's refusal to accept foreign government aid for relief work in flood-battered Kerala has touched a raw nerve, with leaders of political parties in the southern state pressing the centre to review the decision.
The state's ruling CPM and the opposition Congress expressed unhappiness over the centre's stand, with former defence minister AK Antony saying that the rules should be changed to accept foreign donations.
The issue snowballed following reports that the centre was averse to taking help from foreign governments following a stand taken by the UPA government on not accepting such donations because the country had the capacity to cope up with natural disasters.
On Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates, where most of the expatriates are from Kerala, had offered Rs 700 crore as aid to the state to overcome the devastation caused by the worst floods in nearly a century.
Thailand's ambassador to India tweeted about India not accepting overseas donations for flood relief in Kerala.
The Maldives and Qatar also offered donations for the state. Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan told reporters that if needed, he would talk with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.