Kochi, Jan 16 (IANS) The Kerala government will give relaxation on land ceiling norms to those who come forward to invest and generate employment opportunities in the state, said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy Friday.
"We have been facing several road blocks when it comes to attracting investment to the state and issues regarding to land has been one of the major road blocks. As per the current policy, a person cannot hold land in excess of 15 acres..
"The government has decided to give relaxation to this policy with certain conditions in order to attract investors to the state," said Chandy while inaugurating the two-day Global NRK Meet organized by Department of Norka and Norka-Roots here.
According to the proposal, if a person agrees to make a Rs.5 crore investment, he would be allowed to hold an acre of land in excess and the same relaxation would also be given to those who come up with a project that promises employment to at least 20 people.
"These projects and investments will be considered as a public purpose and the government will extend all possible support to it. The government is looking forward to the support from NRKs in making considering investments in the technology sector in the state," said Chandy.
He also highlighted the need to make the NRK meet an annual event rather than a biennial one.
"Currently, the NRK meet is organized once in two years. The government is willing to organize the event every year as it is the perfect platform for the NRKs to raise their issues and discuss it with the government," he added.
In his presidential address, Norka Minister K.C.Joseph said the issues faced by the NRKs had increased manifold in recent years and the government was committed to providing all possible help to them.
Finance Minister K.M. Mani said the NRKs were the major contributors to the state's economy and the foreign remittance to the state was nearly Rs 85,000 crore.
"In the recent times, Nitaqat has been one of the serious issues faced by the NRKs and the state government has formulated several welfare schemes to support the returnees," he said, referring to many Gulf states' new policy to keep a percentage of jobs for indigenous populations.
He said that in order to support those returnees who wanted to start their own enterprise, the Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC) will provide an interest-free loan up to Rs.20 lakh while the state government will offer 10 percent capital participation fund.
IT and Industries Minister P.K. Kunhalikutty said that the government was actively considering to promote private industrial parks in the state.
"Those who have land can set up private industrial parks and the government will extend all possible support to such projects. We want the NRKs to come forward and make considerable investment in the state," he added.
Fisheries, Ports and Excise Minister K. Babu said that the NRKs should come forward to make investment in projects like coastal shipping and Kannur airport.
Close to a 1000 people, mostly the diaspora from the various Middle East countries, are attending the meet that ends Saturday.
American police brutality: Kneaded the accused on the ground, kneeled on the neck, and kicked and punched
American police brutality has come to the fore once again. The police brutally thrashed one of the accused during the arrest. Its video is going viral on social media. After this, 3 police officers
Tax On Crypto: What is the government's formula of 30% tax on income from cryptocurrency, know the complete calculation from experts
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman made a big announcement about cryptocurrencies while presenting the country's general budget on Tuesday. Under this, income from cryptocurrencies will now have to
Pahalgam Terror Attack: Demand to end sports relations with Pakistan, Sachin-Kohli also expressed grief over the terrorist attack.
The Indian sports world has also mourned the Pahalgam terror attack. At the same time, former Indian cricketer Srivats Goswami has demanded a complete end to sports relations with Pakistan. 26 people
NEET UG 2024: What is the whole controversy of NEET-UG, which shook the entire system of NTA; Now there is a demand for investigation
The controversy over giving grace marks in the medical admission exam NEET-UG (National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Undergraduate) has come to an end. The National Testing Agency (NTA) told the
Waqf Act Row: Hearing on petitions against Waqf Amendment Act in Supreme Court today, many states have challenged it
The Supreme Court will hear petitions against the constitutional validity of the Waqf (Amendment) Act 2025 on Thursday. Chief Justice BR Gavai and Justice Augustine George Masih will hear the case.
Russia-Ukraine War Updates: Russian Attacks 40 Cities in Eastern Donbas, 38 Schools Destroyed; 432 civilians killed in Donetsk
The war between Russia and Ukraine has been going on for 92 days. Meanwhile, Russian troops intensified attacks to capture the eastern Donbas. 40 cities were attacked here. In which 47 buildings and
Why North Korea now needs to launch ballistic missiles after 2017, know the answer to this question
North Korea has tried to give a big signal by launching two short-range ballistic missiles towards the Sea of Japan on Monday. While the concern of South Korea and Japan has increased due to
Manohar Lal will be the Chief Minister of Haryana, and will take oath as CM again at 4 pm
In a major political development in Haryana, Chief Minister Manohar Lal has resigned. Manohar Lal will take oath again at 4 pm. The timing of the swearing-in ceremony has changed. Now there will be no
See Himachal's devastation in pictures: Clouds burst at 5 places... houses, bridges, and roads were washed away, and 51 missing including 7 family members.
Rain has caused havoc in Himachal Pradesh. Cloudburst has occurred at two places in Nirmand of Ani, Malana of Kullu, Thaltukhod of Mandi district, and Chamba district. Many houses, schools, and
What is the oil game and gulf countries' trouble in the Ukraine-Russia war
The Muslim countries of the Gulf have large reserves of the world's oil. These countries have so far given a neutral and moderate response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.