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."
In the Delhi Municipal Corporation elections (MCD Election 2022), the BJP has used social media a
BJP is on the offensive against the statement of the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul
PM Modi, who arrived in Sri Lanka for the first time since 2019 on a three-day visit, was warmly
On Monday, 44 thousand 747 cases were found in the country, 69 thousand 237 patients were cured a
Hollywood desk. The sequel to the action comedy film Bad Boys is going to release digitally on Ma
Guptill fires New Zealand into WC semis
Wellington, March 21 (IANS) An incredible unbeaten knock of 237 from opener Martin Guptill fire
Pakistan has prepared its National Security Policy. This entire policy will not be made public, b
Nasal Vaccine: The price of the nasal vaccine of Corona is fixed, will have to pay 800 rupees
Because of the threat of Corona, preparations have intensified in India. Vaccination is also bein
OnePlus 10T 5G launch confirmed, Nord Buds will be available for free to those who buy event tickets
OnePlus 10T 5G Launch Date: OnePlus has announced the launch of the OnePlus 10T 5G. OnePlus 10T 5
Shares of Mukesh Ambani and Adani Group firms shine in lockdown too
Eight leading business houses have emerged as new Corona warriors for the stock market. All compa
