CM leaving for the Gulf Wednesday

Thiruvananthapuram: As the Centre has been sitting on the request for approval of several Kerala ministers for travel abroad to raise funds for building new Kerala following the fllods in August, chief minister Pinarayi is proceeding on a tour of the Gulf countries. His tour has been approved by the Centre with certain conditions including the hospitality and aid coming from Indian communitites in the countries visited.

The cabinet meeting to be held on Tuesday will discuss the sitaution of ministers not getting the Centre's approval for th tours. In the backdrop of permission not being granted so far, the cabinet will discuss the subjects including postponement of visits.

The ministers are however, hopeful of getting approval eventually, and some have already made preparations for the same. At the same time, some minister's tours have been put off to next month even otherwise, as desired by the organizations in respective countries.

The objective of the tour is to raise funds from expatriate Keralites and Indian organizations there, for post-flood reconstruction and sonsorship for rebuilding homes destroyed.

Pinarayi Vijayan is scheduled to depart on Wednesday for Abu Dhabi, following which he will be in Dubai on 19th, and in Sharja on 20th.