In a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan expressed his dissatisfaction with the Centre’s refusal to grant clearance for Kerala Health Minister Veena George to visit Kuwait following the recent fire tragedy. Vijayan urged that political or other considerations should not interfere with decisions in such critical situations.

The letter, dated June 15, said the decision taken should not appear to convey a bias.

The tragic fire at the Al-Mangaf labor camp in Kuwait City claimed the lives of 46 Indians, including 23 from Kerala, who were employed by a private company.

The Kerala CM condemned the Centre’s denial, saying it “goes against the principles of cooperative federalism”.

He also noted that there was no response from Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar regarding their request, calling the lack of communication “extremely unfortunate.”

In his appeal, Vijayan urged Prime Minister Modi to direct the Ministry of External Affairs to be “more responsive” to similar requests in the future.

He explained that Veena George’s presence in Kuwait could have significantly aided coordination and offered relief to the families affected by the tragedy.

“Her (Veena George) presence in Kuwait would have helped substantially in liaisoning 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,” Vijayan said in the letter.

Vijayan clarified that his intention was not to create controversy during a time of distress but to highlight that the State Cabinet’s collective decision had been overlooked.

“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 of development as well as in mitigation efforts, when our people face disasters and calamities,” the letter added.

Kerala health Minister Veena George alleged that her plan to travel to Kuwait to assist in the repatriation of the bodies of 23 Keralites was thwarted by the Ministry of External Affairs. She waited for hours at the Cochin International Airport for permission from the Ministry of External Affairs.

She told reporters, “We only sought permission to travel to Kuwait so as to extend some relief to the families of the deceased and the injured. But the Union government denied it”.

In response, BJP leader Rajeev Chandrasekhar defended the Centre’s decision and said, “Tragedies like Kuwait are not for CPM sightseeing. PM Narendra Modi ji’s govt has on every such tragedy responded fast – bodies being flown back to Kerala. Kirti Vardhan Singh there on ground. Time is to give solace to families who lost loved ones.”