Kerala CM Criticises Centre Over Minister's Kuwait Trip Denial

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Friday slammed the BJP-led NDA government at the Centre for denying permission to Kerala health minister to visit Kuwait.

Pinarayi Vijayan, while speaking at the inaugural session of the Loka Kerala Sabha event here, said the centre’s decision was “inappropriate.”   “It's the culture of our country to visit the places where such a tragedy has taken place. We go to extend assistance, console the people and this is what everyone usually does,” he said.

He sought the central government’s intervention to get adequate compensation for the families of the victims. “I witnessed heart-rending scenes while paying my respects to the dead. The central government should intervene to ensure that the institutions which are liable to pay the compensation, complete the process in a time-bound manner. The Centre and the state governments should move in a coordinated manner since we cannot do anything specific in another country,” he said.

The chief minister said a big section of people who live there (Kuwait) belong to Kerala. Therefore, the state government can assist the Centre in many matters. “It is not fair to say no to such assistance. We have been able to have a good interaction through the Global Contact Centre," Pinarayi said while extending full support to the Central government’s interventions.

Earlier health Minister Veena George told the media at the Kochi airport that her trip to Kuwait had to be cancelled following denial of political clearance by the Centre. "I waited at the Kochi airport last night. But with political clearance not being given till 9 pm, I had to cancel my trip. The flight to Kuwait took off at 10.30 pm last night,” she said.

Governor Arif Mohammad Khan said the central government had taken all required steps and completed all procedures for the repatriation of the bodies. There wasn’t much that the minister had to do in Kuwait.

“I am not aware of the legalities of this matter. In any case, the minister would have to return today. Already the central ministers were in Kuwait. Even if you are allowed to travel, what will you achieve by spending a few hours in Kuwait? These things should not be pursued unnecessarily,” he said.

“We need to do some long-term thinking about why people are forced to leave their homes in search of work. They have no option but to go outside seeking jobs because locally there are opportunities available,” the governor said.

Opposition leader V D Satheeshan said the centre’s denial of political clearance to the health minister to visit Kuwait was unfortunate. “If the state representative is present there he can coordinate effectively with many Malayalee organisations,” he said.

The BJP, however, defended the Central government’s decision. “There was no need for the health minister to visit Kuwait since the union minister had already completed all formalities and procedures related to the repatriation of the bodies of the victims," said BJP state president K Surendran.

Union Minister of state for Tourism Suresh Gopi said there was an attempt to create an unnecessary political controversy over the issue. At the moment everyone should concentrate on assisting the families of the victims, he said.

Heartrending scenes witnessed at Kochi airport

Kochi: An Indian Air Force (IAF) plane carrying the bodies of 45 Indians who died in the fire arrived at the Kochi airport on Friday morning. The bodies of the victims were taken to various districts in ambulances escorted by police vehicles.

The bodies of 23 Keralites, seven Tamil Nadu natives and one from Karnataka were brought to Kochi. All 31 bodies were kept in Kochi for the public to pay homage before being taken to their respective native places. The plane carrying the remaining 14 bodies went to Delhi.

Heart-rending scenes were witnessed at the Kochi airport with the families of victims unable to come to terms with the humongous tragedy.

Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, central and state ministers, leaders of various political parties, family members of the victims and people from various walks of life paid their last respects at the Nedumbassery airport.

The condition of seven injured people continues to remain critical

Non-Resident Keralites Affairs Department (NORKA) CEO Ajith Kolassery said seven of those injured in the accident were in critical condition. NORKA will provide necessary assistance for the further treatment of the injured.

Of the 57 persons who were in various hospitals, 12 including five Malayalees have been discharged. More than 25 Malayalees are in the hospital.