Kerala: State govt delegation led by CM Pinarayi Vijayan leaves on 8-day US, Cuba trip

 A Kerala government delegation led by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan left for an eight-day trip to United States of America and Cuba on Thursday morning. delegation, also comprising Speaker A N Shamseer and State Finance Minister K N Balagopal, would be attending various events, including American Regional Conference of Loka Kerala Sabha which was marred by controversy after allegations cropped up that money was being charged from expatriates to stand or sit close to Vijayan during three-day programme.

opposition Congress h contended that it was "embarrassing" for state that amounts ranging from USD 25,000 to USD 100,000 was being charged as part of "offer" to sit or stand close to Kerala Chief Minister during Loka Kerala Sabha, a Non-resident Keralites convention which will be held in New York on June 9, 10 and 11.

ruling Left in state and Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA) denied allegations of fundraising. ruling CPI(M) in state h contended event organisers only collected money as "sponsorship" and government h no involvement in it.

Vijayan will be in US till June 14, on which date he will depart for Havana, capital city of Cuba, from New York, Chief Minister's Office (CMO) said in a press note. While in US, Kerala CM will inaugurate American Regional Conference of Loka Kerala Sabha on June 10 at Marriott Marquis in Times Square area of New York, CMO statement said.

Prior to that, on June 9, Vijayan will visit 9/11 Memorial in New York and reafter go to see UN hequarters, it said. chief minister will also inaugurate a Business Investment Meet which will be held at Marriot Marquis on June 11, according to his itinerary given in statement.

During his US visit, Vijayan will also meet Malayali investors in America, prominent Malayali expatriates, IT experts, students and women entrepreneurs, press note said. Vijayan will also dress expatriate community at a public meeting in New York's iconic Times Square, it said.

On June 12, he will meet World Bank's South Asia Regional Vice-President Martin Reiser in Washington DC, it ded. On June 13, chief minister will personally visit and understand Maryland waste management systems and on June 14, he will leave New York for Havana, statement said. Vijayan will participate in various programmes in Havana on June 15 and 16, meet with various dignitaries and also visit places of historical importance, including Jose Marti Memorial.