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."
Racism is distraction to humanity: Kanye West
Los Angeles, Feb 18 (IANS) Rapper Kanye West feels that focusing on racism is a “distracti
The Indian economy has improved in 2022 after dealing with the challenges posed by the Corona pan
Kolkata, Jan 2 (IANS) A rock music concert amidst the serene hills of north West Bengal will be
'Modi Ji is the king and there is police rule in India', arrests Rahul Gandhi attacks the Center
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi was detained by Delhi Police on Tuesday. Rahul along with other Cong
A case has been filed against two managers of Aryan Company for the helicopter crash in Gaurimai
The question has once again arisen on the security of foreigners in Afghanistan. On Monday, some
Delhi Health Minister Satyendar Jain will be produced in court by the Enforcement Directorate (ED
WPL Points Table : UP Warriors beat these teams by qualifying, know the full playoff schedule here
WPL 2023 Playoff Teams and Schedule. The picture of the playoffs of the first season of the Women
German Environment Minister visiting India
New Delhi, Jan 27 (IANS) German Environment Minister Barbara Hendricks will be on a two-day vis
The CNG crisis may deepen again in the Gurugram district. According to Haryana City Gas Distribut
