Kuwait fire: Kerala CM express concerns with PM Modi on cancelling political clearance to minister Veena George
Thiruvananthapuram: In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has expressed his concerns and objection over the Ministry of External Affairs (EAM) decision to deny political clearance for health minister Veena George and her team of officials for visiting Kuwait for coordinating the rescue efforts a day after the fire tragedy took place that led to the death of 50 Indians, of which 24 are from Kerala.
In the letter written to June 5th, the Chief minister implied that had the Centre given clearance without any political bias, the state minister could have provided essential liaison with authorities and offered solace to the victims’ families.
In a letter addressed to the Prime Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan described the situation as unfortunate and emphasised that raising the issue was necessary despite their reluctance to create controversy during such distressing times. He highlighted that the state cabinet’s collective decision had been disregarded, stressing that the circumstances warranted prompt consideration under the cooperative federalism framework, where states and the Union collaborate equally in development and disaster response efforts.
The letter stated, “In view of the distress and apprehensions of the members of family it was decided to depute the Minister for Health, Government of Kerala Smt. Veena George to personally visit Kuwait and be of assistance to the families of those who had lost their lives and those who were severely injured”.
“I wish to bring before your good self the fact that being the tier of Government close to the people, State Government gets the grievances of the people first. Considering the gravity of the situation, it was decided by the Council of Ministers of Kerala to depute a Cabinet Minister to Kuwait”.
“Her presence in Kuwait would have helped substantially in liaison Ing with the Union Minister of State for External Affairs, the team of officials and the Embassy. This could have provided mental relief and confidence to the families of those who were affected by the unforeseen tragedy”.
“I am compelled to invite the kind attention of Hon’ble Prime Minister to the fact the Minister for Health, Government of Kerala, could not visit Kuwait due to the non-response to the request for the Political Clearance, by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. This is extremely unfortunate. In this hour of distress, we will be the last persons to rake up a controversy in this matter. But the State Government shall be failing in its duty, if the non-response to the request for the Political Clearance is not brought before the attention of Hon’ble Prime Minister. The collective decision of the State Cabinet has been disregarded. Political clearance was requested as per the Office Memorandum of the Cabinet Secretariat dated February 28, 2023”.
“The present request amply falls within the purview of compelling circumstances and non-consideration of the same clearly goes against the principles of cooperative federalism in which the Union and the States are equal partners in the pursuit for development as well as in mitigation efforts, when our people face disasters and calamities. As your good self would appreciate, no political or other considerations should come in the way in issuing political clearances in such situations. A decision taken should not even appear to convey such a bias”.
Meanwhile, BJP leaders in Kerala supported the Union government’s decision.
“The ministry of external affairs had sent a union minister to Kuwait to coordinate the relief efforts. There was no need to send a minister from the state. The situation was under control. These are unnecessary controversies,” BJP state president K Surendran said.
In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has expressed his concerns and objection over the Ministry of External Affairs (EAM) decision to deny political clearance for health minister Veena George and her team of officials for visiting Kuwait Kerala States News India: Top News India, States News, States News Headlines, Online State News India, State Politics news
