Thiruvananthapuram, April 13:  Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today demanded the inclusion of State Relief Funds to be made eligible for Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funding by making changes to  the Companies Act.

Addressing the media, the Chief Minister said, “The Government of Kerala is on the opinion that contributions to the Chief Minister’s Disaster Relief Funds should be included as an eligible expenditure under CSR.

In a federal setup, the Relief Funds set up by the States for a public purpose cannot be excluded from the eligibility criteria when the same is available for a Central Fund set up with similar objectives and aims.

In a letter to the Prime Minister, I have requested his intervention to correct this inequality which against the principles underlying cooperative federalism and adds to the fiscal stress of the States.

Necessary changes may be brought in to the Companies Act to include CMDRF also eligible for CSR funding.” The CM once again reiterated the demand of the State Government to bring back stranded Keralites from overseas. The Centre should send special aircraft to bring back people who went aboard on temporary/short-term, visiting visas, and those requiring medical treatment back home.

This should be done by following the international travel protocol laid by WHO. The State Government will conduct the testing of these people once they are back and quarantine them, if necessary. “We will extend all possible help and support to the Pravasi Malayalees when they come back also including rehabilitation of those who would lose their jobs in the backdrop of the pandemic outbreak.”

The Chief Minister also informed that a decision on extending the lockdown or giving exemptions in the State would be decided tomorrow after knowing about the decision of the Central Government through the address of the Prime Minister. Minister of Health and Social Justice, Smt K K Shailaja Teacher; Revenue Minister, Shri E Chandrasekharan, and Chief Secretary, Shri Tom Jose IAS were also present during the media briefing