Even as everyone is busy praising the crisis management skills of Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, he has entrusted Finance Minister T.M. Thomas Isaac with the unenviable task of raising money to rebuild the state. The “Herculean task” of amassing Rs 25,000 odd crore, however, does not seem to worry Isaac. Instead, he says rebuilding is a “great opportunity'' that will take the state to a higher level.
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Also, commenting on opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala's charges against the state government's handling of the flood situation, Isaac says he looks like a “confused person” these days. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, in a press conference earlier, had given a point-by-point rebuttal of opposition's claims of the government's mismanagement of the crisis.
Excerpts:
The state is facing a mammoth task of rebuilding the state, which may require a huge amount. And the task to amass the funds is on your shoulders. Are you having sleepless nights?
It is true that I have not slept properly for the last one week as I was in the midst of the flood. But the task of amassing the resources for rebuilding the state does not worry me at all. Secular and egalitarian minds across the world are showering their assistance on us and I must say we all are overwhelmed. The inflow towards CMDRF is amazing and it is set to break all records.
But will that be enough?
Certainly not. We are parallelly working on many fund-raising plans and have also sought the assistance of the Centre. We have sought approval for imposing a relief cess and have also asked for exemptions in GST, and to raise limits for receiving loans. At the same time, we are also focusing on raising funds through Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board (KIIFB). All these will ensure that we have enough funds to rebuild the state. Government will ensure that the water carrying capacity of the river basins is strengthened and there will be no two ways about it.
So, you mean to say, the state will come out stronger?
Exactly. I look at this mammoth task as a great opportunity to create a richer, stronger Kerala.
Don't you think we need to have a relook at the development prerogative of the state?
The flood has taught us some serious lessons. The most important among them is that we must respect nature. We must not tamper with it, especially in these times of climate change. Our development trajectory needs to be relooked.
You can expect some stringent measures on environment conservation. If you build convention centres and hotels on river basins, it is certain that river will wash away all of that.
Everyone is praising the chief minister for his crisis management skills. What do you think about this?
I am amazed at his clarity and cool-headedness. The chief minister is undaunted by anything; no turbulence affects him. Also, he is very systematic and is a great manager. All these qualities give confidence to everyone around. Without him, we would not have handled this crisis in this manner.
But opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala seems to have many complaints...
Poor fellow! He is confused and doesn't know what to do or say. He is contradicting himself all the time. I have only sympathies for him.