The announcement of Rs 700 crore financial aid for Kerala flood relief from the United Arab Emirates the day Government of India announced an aid package of Rs 600 crore after an aerial survey of the affected areas by the Prime Minister has stung Narendra Modi to the quick.

The estimated loss caused by the floods was assessed as Rs 21,000 crore. Rejecting the UAE offer of generous aid, the External Affairs Ministry, quoting a precedent set by former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, said the Union government will not allow any financial assistance from foreign governments for Kerala “in sync with existing policy.”

An embarrassed UAE ambassador in New Delhi in a press release said, “The UAE has not officially announced any financial aid for Kerala,” but has set up a national emergency committee “to provide relief assistance to the people affected by flash floods in Kerala.”

The entire people of Kerala rose in revolt against the chicanery of the Modi government. Following the initial enthusiasm shown by the UAE in coming to the rescue of distressed Kerala, many more foreign nations including Malaysia, Thailand and even tiny Maldives offered aid. The External Affairs Ministry turned all of them down. Modi is not known to be a devotee of Manmohan Singh to follow even an inappropriate precedent set by his bête noire.

Perhaps Modi during his aerial survey of floods could not fathom the enormity of the problem. It is neither procedurally nor morally wrong for Kerala to accept assistance offered voluntarily by friendly countries and the UN to aid and rehabilitate flood victims.

The assistance offered by the Union government is grossly inadequate. This government could readily sanction Rs 3,000 crore to put up a statue of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, but could spare only Rs 600 crore for the rehabilitation of Kerala flood victims.

According to Section 9.2 of the National Disaster Management Plan, 2016, the GoI as a matter of policy does not issue any appeal for foreign assistance in the wake of a disaster.

However, “if the national government of another country voluntarily offers assistance as a goodwill gesture in solidarity with the disaster victims, the Central government may accept the offer.” That is exactly what the UAE did. In the case of UN agencies offering assistance, India will accept only if the government considers it necessary.

Kerala has not witnessed floods of this kind since 1924. Central forces had to use a total of 40 helicopters, 31 aircraft and 182 teams to rescue more than 60,000 people marooned in isolated pockets. It is the worst-ever calamity the State has faced since Independence. It must be allowed to accept help from every source available as long as it comes voluntarily with no strings attached.