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Santhosh Chandran
DOHA
THE Government of the southern Indian State of Kerala has come up with an attractive rehabilitation package for overseas immigrants from the state.
According to the rehabilitation project, immigrants from the state will get Indian Rupees two million (approximately QR106,000) as capital to begin projects listed under Norka Department Project for Returned Emigrants in the state when they return home.
The scheme called 'Rehabilitation of Returned Emigrants' (NDPREM) is expected to benefit a large number of immigrants from the state who come back home for a variety of reasons.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune in Doha, Pravasi Welfare Board Director under Norka Roots, KK Sankaran, said:"The Government of Kerala is very much concerned about the welfare of its people working abroad and the new scheme is aimed at supporting NRIs, who have to return home permanently for some reasons, and their families. The projects will also contribute to the development of Kerala."
Government of Kerala launched the Department of Non Resident Keralite's Affairs (Norka) to redress the grievances of non-resident Keralites.
As per the media statement issued by the Government of Kerala, Norka Roots has signed agreements with major banks namely, State Bank of India, South Indian Bank and Union Bank.
The Kerala State Backward Classes Development Corporation and Kerala State Pravasi Welfare Development Co-operative Society (PRAVASIS Ltd) have also signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the project.
"Norka Roots also conducts orientation and training camps in various places in Kerala prior to screening and selection to boost the managerial capabilities of the entrepreneurs," Sankaran said.
Former president of Indian Cultural Centre K Girish Kumar said:"The new move by the Kerala government will help a number of expatriates who have to return home for different reasons. The inclusion of Kerala State Cooperative Agriculture Village Development Bank for the project would be beneficial for returnees residing in rural areas across Kerala."
According to the new project, banks in India will sanction loans for starting modest enterprises in areas of interest of the returned Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs). Norka Roots will release capital subsidy of 15 percent of the project cost, subject to a maximum of Rs 2 million and interest subsidy of 3 percent for the first four years, to those beneficiaries who are regular in payment.
Abdul Aziz, a member of Sanskriti, one of largest socio-cultural organisations of Kerala expatriate community in Qatar, said:"The existing government in Kerala is very much concerned about its people working abroad. The new scheme will benefit a number of expatriates who have worked in diverse sectors of business abroad. The project will not only be a relief for expatriates who return permanently, but strengthen the rural economy of Kerala."
In case of default, the benefit can be availed only if the beneficiaries clear off his/her dues. NRK returnees interested to start enterprises under the NDPREM scheme may register their details on Norka Roots website. Applicants should upload soft copies of intended project in PDF format, passport / visa copies in PDF format and photograph of applicant in JPG format.
According to the Kerala Migration Survey, there are over two million migrant workers from Kerala, of which 90 percent are in the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. Norka is said to be the first department of its kind in India licensed by Protector General of Emigrants as a licensed recruiting agency.
