The Hindu : Kerala News : Welfare scheme soon for Non-Resident Keralites

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Wednesday, Mar 26, 2008
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Kerala

Welfare scheme soon for Non-Resident Keralites

N.J. Nair

Primarily for those doing menial jobs in other States, abroad
Pension, other benefits for NRKs aged above 60 years

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A welfare fund and a contributory pension scheme benefiting lakhs of Keralites residing abroad or in other States will materialise soon.

Those residing in the metropolitan cities and overseas will be the major beneficiaries of the scheme which intends to provide pension and other benefits to NRKs above 60 years.

Corpus

According to the provisions of the Non-Resident Keralites Welfare Fund Bill, a corpus will be formed with contributions from the government, unclaimed funds of NRKs left with the Centre and donations.

Official sources told The Hindu that the scheme is primarily meant for Keralites who slog in the labour camps abroad for a pittance as well as scores of others who eke out a living doing menial jobs in the metros.

All NRKs aged between 18 and 55 would be eligible to become members of the welfare fund. Keralites who have obtained visa to migrate and those residing in other States for a fixed tenure for employment and planning to continue there can become members of the scheme.

Four slabs of Rs.100, Rs.250, Rs.500 and Rs.1,000 have been proposed for monthly contribution to the welfare fund. About 20 per cent of the contribution would be for pension scheme, to which the government would contribute two per cent.

Providing financial assistance is one of the major attractions of the fund. Loans would be given for purposes including medical treatment, ex gratia in the case of death of members and for marriage of women members.

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