As Kerala is limping back to normalcy and trying to rebuild the state hit by the worst natural disaster in nearly a century, uncertainty still remains over the Rs 700 crore aid the United Arab Emirates (UAE) had announced.

Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Tuesday announced that the UAE has offered to help rebuild the flood-ravaged state. 

According to the CM, the offer of financial aid was conveyed to Prime Minister Narendra Modi by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

This was communicated to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi (@PMOIndia) by Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan (@MohamedBinZayed), Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of UAE's Armed Forces.

— CMO Kerala (@CMOKerala) August 21, 2018

But as it turns out, it may not be that easy for Kerala to receive the support at this crucial time.  

The Center has indicated that it is not in favour of taking outside help from any country or organizations. The government had earlier said no to UN support for the state saying that the Indian government was able to manage the relief activities in the flood-hit state.

For aid from UAE, the MEA said it hasn't received any offer or proposal yet.  

It appears that the same is going to be applicable in the case of the Rs 35 crores Quarter, another middle eastern country with a size-able Keralite population had offered as flood aid.

The legal hurdle that has hindered the much needed aid to Kerala is a policy which was enacted in 2004 to not to take foreign financial aid.  

Since then, India has not taken any financial assistance from any foreign country even in the case of the 2004 tsunami, the 2013 Uttarakhand flood and the 2014 Kashmir flood.

While it is completely within the government's prerogative to turn down the generous offer from UAE and Qatar which is the result of the years of goodwill the expat Malayali community has created in the Gulf, it is worthwhile to ask is this the right time to cling on to technicality.

Kerala just suffered the worst natural disaster in a century and according to the chief minister the state needs to be rebuilt. Kerala is estimated to have suffered loss of over 20,000 crores in the floods and the central government has so far has pledged only Rs 600 crores to the state. 

According to Kerala Finance Minister TM Thomas Isaac, the Chief Minister's Distress Relief Fund has so far received Rs 210 crores in donations. This is in addition to the pledge for financial assistance of Rs 160 crores.

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