Kerala - Thrissur   

Government ignoring welfare of NoRKs: Chennithala

Thrissur: Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president Ramesh Chennithala has accused the State government of ignoring the welfare of pravasis. Addressing the state conference of Kerala Pradesh Pravasi Congress at Town Hall, here, on Thursday,

Mr. Chennithala said the Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan, who was in charge of the Pravasi Affairs Department, had not done anything for the assistance of pravasis.

Non-resident Keralites were the backbone of the State economy.

They greatly contribute to the socio-economic development of the State.

But returned pravasis were getting little assistance from the State government for their rehabilitation or development, Mr. Chennithala said.

“Welfare of returned pravasis, who spend the spring of their life away from home, is duty of the government. But the proposed Pravasi Bill has no mention about welfare of the returned pravasis.

“The activities of Non-Resident Keralite’s Welfare Agency (NoRKA), which was formed for welfare of Non-resident Keralites, have reached a standstill,” he said.

Opposition leader Oomen Chandy asked the State government to create a favourable atmosphere for the pravasi entrepreneurs to start business here. They should be given technical and legal advice, he said.

Formation of Pravasi Rehabilitation Corporation, free medical benefits for aged pravasi returnees, old-age homes, pension scheme, 10 per cent reservation for their children in schools and colleges and exclusive special economic zones were among the demands of the conference.

KPCC general secretary P. Sankaran, former NoRKA Minister M.M. Hassan, Therambil Ramakrishnan, MLA, and other leaders participated.

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