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."
Last week, Russia successfully tested its 'Brahmastra'. Its name is the RS-28 Sarmat missile. It
There was political turmoil in Haryana just before the Lok Sabha elections. On Tuesday, the BJP b
Just one more... then I will not bring any BJP MLA in SP: Akhilesh Yadav
BJP, including SP, BSP has also released the first and second list of candidates for the assembly
Valentine Day 2022: Celebrate the first Valentine's Day after marriage in these ways very special
February is a special month for lovers. Valentine's Day is on 14th February of this month. Valent
DoNER minister to discuss development with northeast CMs
Shillong, Jan 1 (IANS) DoNER Minister Jitendra Singh will Friday meet the governors and the chi
The first meeting of the high-level committee formed by the Central Government to investigate the
Nirbhaya case | SC quashes plea of convict Mukesh
मुकेश ने मौत की सजा के खिलाफ कानूनी उ
Ravichandran Ashwin is one of the best spinners India has ever produced. His statistics testify t
RR vs DC Playing 11: Delhi will have its eyes on victory against Rajasthan, Samson-Pant will compete
Rishabh Pant-led Delhi Capitals, who started the IPL 2024 season with a defeat against Punjab Kin
Modi cabinet has taken a big decision for the farmers. The central government has decided not to