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."
Microsoft says Software-Hardware Integration to Drive Mobility Market
Kolkata, March 4 (IANS) The mobile division of software major Microsoft on Wednesday said that
Perfect time to beat Australia: Kohli
Sydney, March 24 (IANS) Keeping in mind their winless performance against Australia this summer
GrokAI: Now Grok abuses Tej Pratap, has Elon Musk's AI gone out of control?
X's AI chatbot Grok has abused RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav's son Tej Pratap Yadav in his tweet ab
The excitement for Lok Sabha elections is at its peak in the country. Be it BJP or Congress, ever
Uttar Pradesh elections: What is the situation in Bundelkhand, can BJP's problems increase
In Uttar Pradesh, 19 seats of Bundelkhand are also included in the elections to be held in the th
Haridwar: Two Akharas announce the end of Kumbh, the angry saint said - Fair will last its duration
Considering the corona infection, Haridwar arrived in Kumbh, after the announcement of the closin
Canada is set to employ 14.5 lakh, foreigners, in the next three years. Recently, Canada's Immigr
HC quashes look out notice against Greenpeace activist
New Delhi, March 12 (IANS) Granting relief to Greenpeace activist Priya Pillai, who was stopped
Himachal asked to implement Shetty commission report
Shimla, March 16 (IANS) The Himachal Pradesh High Court on Monday directed the state government
Xiaomi 12S Pro: Launch date of Xiaomi 12S Pro revealed, know details here
Xiaomi 12S Pro Launch: Xiaomi has confirmed the launch date of its new smartphone Xiaomi 12S Pro.
