There were controversies surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reported refusal to meet with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after four consecutive requests. On 13 July, The Prime Minister’s office informed Kerala that the team could meet him on 19 July. Pinarayi Vijayan all set to discuss Kerala’s concerns over reduction of the Centre's share of ‘ration’ to the State.
Finally, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given an appointment to the all-party delegates' leader, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, to discuss Kerala’s concerns over reduction of the Centre's share of ‘ration’ to the State.
There were controversies surrounding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reported refusal to meet with Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan after four consecutive requests. But the Prime Minister's office clarified that this topic shall be discussed with the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution Minister Ram Vilas Paswan.
Again, Pinarayi decided to meet the Prime Minister to raise the same demand. That was denied too.
Pinarayi asked the Prime Minister to consider the Budget allocation issues in the State government on 20 March 2017, after which he still did not receive any positive reply.
On 24 November 2016, Pinarayi tried to see the Prime Minister before demonetisation was implemented, and the meeting was sought to discuss issues related to demonetisation, but that request was not entertained either.
On 13 July, The Prime Minister’s office informed Kerala that the team could meet him on 19 July. During the meeting, the Prime Minister is likely to discuss the ration issue. Pinarayi, who is now in the United States, will return to India on 18 July, after which he will fly to Delhi along with his team.
Earlier, the Congress had issued a statement saying that the Prime Minister ought to have given the appointment when the State asked for it, which was the convention. They also rallied behind the LDF on the issue, but the BJP defended the refusal of the PMO, saying that the Prime Minister’s office is not a place where anyone could walk in at anytime, clarifying that the appointment should be taken well in advance.
Besides the ration issue of the State, the Kerala team will also discuss topics like the Kanjikode coach factory and preparedness for an imminent drought.
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