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."
The Supreme Court recently said that education should not be made a business. But on Wednesday, a
Not taking Bangladesh lightly: Raina
Melbourne, March 18 (IANS) Middle-order batsman Suresh Raina has said India are not taking Bang
Lockdown will not be imposed in 5 cities of Uttar Pradesh including Lucknow. The Supreme Court ha
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his Syrian counterpart Dr. Faisal Mekdad on Thursday.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on Thursday said there will be a slowdown in
Robin Hood Army spreads its wings to Karachi
New Delhi, Feb 14 (IANS) After successfully feeding homeless and destitutes across a few Indian
Lee Kuan Yew was lion among leaders: Modi
New Delhi, March 23 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday paid homage to Lee Kuan Yew,
Delhi Village without Hospital, School to Boycott Polls
New Delhi, Jan 30 (IANS) A village with a population of over 10,000 has decided to boycott the
Steve Waugh boosts Australia ahead of Pakistan clash
Adelaide, March 18, (IANS) Australia's World Cup-winning captain Steve Waugh joined his country
Modi greets nation on Eid Milad-un-Nabi
New Delhi, Jan 4 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi Sunday greeted people on the occasion of P