Several automakers have rushed to the aid of those affected by the floods in Kerala. Bajaj Auto has extended support by contributing Rs 2 crore to the flood relief fund.
TVS and Hyundai have also announced voluntary contributions of Rs 1 crore each.
Mercedes-Benz has contributed Rs 30 lakh to the relief fund.
Manufacturers like Tata Motors, BMW and Volkswagen have announced extended support and services for customers affected by the floods. This includes free roadside assistance and free towing facility by certain carmakers.
All the companies have asked their technology teams to be on alert for helping in repair of damaged vehicles as well as for monitoring the supply of parts.
On Tuesday, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) communicated with PM Narendra Modi and promised an assistance of Rs 700 crore.
Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan informed the media about this in a press meet and expressed his gratitude to the UAE.
“For scores of Keralites, Gulf is their second home. Keralites are not mere workers there. If we take the population and houses there, a Keralite would have some kind of connection with many of the houses there. There is a Malayali touch in everything. In our current distress, the people in the Gulf are as emotional as we are. Sheik Mohammed has communicated to the Prime Minister about their decision to help. They have decided to give $100 million as assistance, that would be 700 crore in Indian rupees. I would like to express my gratitude to the UAE President Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid on behalf of Malayalis,” Pinarayi Vijayan said.
Meanwhile, the central government announced that all relief material and aid coming in to Kerala from other countries will be exempted from basic customs and IGST.
“India stands with Kerala in this hour of need. Central Government is exempting basic customs duty and IGST for the consignments of aid and relief materials being despatched or imported from abroad for the affected people,” Finance Minister Piyush Goyal tweeted.