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."
Salman Khan again received a death threat, the message read- will blow up the car with a bomb.
Bollywood actor Salman Khan has once again received a death threat. This time a message has been
The Supreme Court is hearing on Thursday regarding air pollution in the capital of Delhi. The cou
Along with petrol and diesel, the prices of edible oil have also seen a tremendous increase durin
Football Saturday saw some of the best matches in different leagues around the world. Paris Saint
Mohsin Naqvi apologizes to BCCI, refuses to return the Asia Cup trophy and medal.
PCB Chairman and Pakistan Government Home Minister Mohsin Naqvi apologized to the BCCI at the ACC
On Wednesday, Delhi Police registered a case related to the lapse in security of Parliament under
How long does the vaccine effect last after the COVID-19 vaccine? Know
Coronavirus has created a furore in countries around the world and hence all governments have als
'Modi', 'Barack' Chatted like old Friends
New Delhi, Jan 26 (IANS) The friendly warmth and camaraderie between Indian Prime Minister Nare
Delhi World Book Fair to get bigger in 2016
New Delhi, Feb 16 (IANS) The aggressive and smart marketing and communication strategies of the
The Taliban, who occupied Afghanistan, have now threatened the United Nations Security Council (U