Thiruvananthapuram, Jan 2 (IANS) Kerala will present its progress card on what it has done for the diaspora and then ask for the centre's help for its plans, Diaspora Minister K.C.Joseph said Friday.
Joseph will be part of a Kerala delegation at the Pravasti Bhartiya Divas (PBD) to be held in Gujarat capital Gandhinagar from January 7 to 9.
Joseph Chief Minister Oommen Chandy would lead the delegation and there would be a Kerala Pavilion at the three-day event which will showcase "our advantages to the visiting diaspora".
"See, Kerala is probably the only state that has led from the front to support its diaspora, whenever there arose an occasion. There are limitations for a state and currently we have launched a rehabilitation package for those who have returned from the Middle-East. It's here we seek the Centre to support us financially when we draw up special schemes," the minister told IANS.
Of the 23.63 lakh Keralites who went abroad, 90 percent are in various Middle-East countries. Close to 13 lakhs have returned from these countries.
According to the latest figures from the State Level Bankers Committee, the total remittances made by the Kerala diaspora to the banks here has crossed Rs.1 lakh crores.
"The chief minister will be speaking on January 9 at the chief minister's session. He will touch upon the issue of giving necessary sanction for our proposal to start our own airline- Air Kerala and also on the hefty air fares being charged by airlines operating to the Middle-East," Joseph said.
According to the minister, the Kerala government is perhaps the only state government which recently has come out with a financial assistance package for the members of diaspora who have returned.
"We along with two public sector banks have launched a self employment scheme and by now more than 20,000 people have applied for it. The maximum cap on loans would be Rs. two million and the Kerala government would offer a 10 percent subsidy to all those who begin an enterprise in the agriculture, trading, manufacturing or the service sectors," he said.
Joseph, who would present Kerala's progress card in the Gulf Session, scheduled for January 9, also said: "The Kerala Pavilion will showcase investment opportunities for the visitors and tourism, IT would be the key areas."
Apart from acting, 'Mr. Perfectionist Aamir Khan has produced many excellent films like Lagaan, T
Diwali 2021: Where and what type of firecrackers can be fired in the country, know in this report
Diwali 2021: Fireworks have been a part of the Diwali festival for a long time, but in the last f
In the wake of BJP MP Phangnan Konyak's complaint of misbehavior during a protest in the Parliame
Road accidents are a major reason for untimely deaths in cities. To reduce these deaths, many cou
Make your Car Journey on V-Day Special
New Delhi, Feb 6 (IANS) When you're on your way for your date on Valentine's Day, try pampering
A mass firing incident took place at Walmart in Virginia, USA on Tuesday. There is news of 10 peo
iPhone 17, Galaxy S25 Ultra Get Massive Discounts; Check Top Smartphone Deals
If you've been waiting for the right time to buy a new smartphone, air conditioner, or home appli
Whether it's Tests or ODIs, Australia has consistently dominated India, but in the shortest forma
For the sisters who tie Rakhi on the wrists of their brothers on the Raksha Bandhan festival, suf
Daryl Mitchell's unbeaten century and brilliant innings from Will Young and Glenn Phillips guided
