The Hindu : Kerala News : Kerala interested in `city-within-city' concept: Tytler

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Jul 31, 2004

Kerala

Kerala

Kerala interested in `city-within-city' concept: Tytler

By Our Special Correspondent

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JULY 30 . The Union Minister of State for Non-Resident Affairs, Jagadish Tytler, has said that Kerala had evinced interest in the "city-within-city" concept, which envisages construction of residential township, education institutions and other facilities for NRIs.

Addressing a press conference here today, Mr. Tytler said that he had discussed the matter with the Chief Minister, A.K. Antony, who had expressed interest in the proposal which was now being implemented in several States. The location of the project in the State would be finalised soon.

EPZs for NRIs

He said his department was exploring the possibilities of setting up export processing zones (EPZs) to attract NRI investments.

Karnataka, Maharashtra and Andhra Pradesh had evinced keen interest in such economic zones.

The Minister said the Centre proposed to appoint development officers in countries with heavy concentration of NRIs to look after their welfare.

To begin with, development officers would be appointed shortly in the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, Malaysia and West Asia.

The officers would also look into the various problems being faced by NRIs in those countries.

Dual citizenship

Mr. Tytler said agreements had been reached with 16 countries, including the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and Australia, for granting dual citizenship to NRIs.

The Union Minister said that steps would soon be taken to tackle the problems being faced by NRIs relating to investment proposals.

The department would also prepare a database of overseas Indians. It would also identify specific areas for investments by NRIs.

Budget airlines

With regard to inducting budget airlines on the Gulf sector, Mr. Tytler said that he would put pressure on the Civil Aviation Minister for a favourable decision.

With regard to voting rights for NRIs and relaxation under the income tax laws, the Union Minister said that there were some difficulties on taking a decision.

However, his department would examine the possibilities of a separate legislation relating to income tax of NRIs.

He also announced that his department would organise a conference of Indian Diaspora in Mumbai from January 7 to 9 next year.

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