Thiruvananthapuram: The cabinet decided that ministers in Kerala will visit various foreign countries to collect donations from emigrants for strengthening flood-hit State. However, during the cabinet meeting on August 30, they did not list the countries and schedule a plan for the ministers. The team of ministers will also visit other States to raise funds. 

Is there a real need for ministers to travel to foreign countries for donations? "Visiting foreign countries for contribution is a national waste and Malayalees are already donating money from the first day of floods," said political activist K S Padmakumar, a member of the Political Affairs Committee (PAC) of the State unit of Aam Admi Party (AAP). 

Meanwhile, a team led by IAS officers will collect donations from each of the districts on September 3 and 5 to rebuild Kerala.

"Getting foreign donations will be a blessing at this time because Kerala can rebuild fast if it gets more money. So if ministers go and get donations from foreign countries then it will be a good move at this time," said AV Sreedharan, a native of Kollam district. 

As Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan left for America on Sunday,  EP Jayarajan, Minister for Industries, is in charge of cabinet meetings in his absence. Jayarajan said that the State ministers would be in flood-hit regions from September 10 to 15. The foreign trip will be scheduled after that.

"From all over the world, Malayalees and non-Malayalees have donated and are donating money to Chief Minister’s Distress Relief Fund (CMDRF). So, what is the need for ministers to plan this trip abroad? By visiting foreign countries, ministers are wasting more money. That money could be saved and given to the needy," said Sunitha Sudhir, an entrepreneur in Abu Dhabi.