Kerala government will soon establish a commission headed by a retired high court Judge to look into complaints filed by non-resident Keralites (NRKs) with regard to their property and other assets in their native state.
The commission, which will function under the department of Home and the department of non-resident Keralites' Affairs (NORKA), will have quasi-judicial powers, said Kerala home minister Ramesh Chennithala.
"We will present a bill in this regard in the legislative Assembly. Once it is passed, we would soon initiate other necessary procedures to set up the commission," he said.
Admitting the current system comprising an NRI cell under the home ministry has certain limitations in addressing the grievances of NRKs, the minister said, the proposed commission would be awarded full authority to take a final decision on such complaints.
He also said the Kerala government will set up mini-police stations at all three international airports in the state, provided the Airport Authority of India (AAI) gives necessary approvals and space.
The minister noted if the government had an effective system in place to solve issues faced by NRKs, Kerala would be able to attract more investments besides leveraging the current positive investment climate in the state.
He noted the increase in the number of Gulf returnees will adversely impact the state's economy given the fact the annual NRI remittances to Kerala was much higher than the state's annual Budget.
With the countries in the Gulf region going ahead with their "nationalisation", which gives preference to natives in jobs and other fields, over the foreigners, Kerala should seek more avenues for growth.
He said, "there are plenty of opportunities in countries like South Africa and we should make use of it".
Showcases infra projects for NRK's investment
To boost infrastructure development, Kerala government threw open three of its major projects- Kochi metro rail, Kannur International Airport and Startup Village- for investment by non-resident Keralites (NRKs).
KMRL managing director Elias George, Kannur International Airport Ltd managing director G Chandramouli and Startup Village chairman Sanjay Vijayakumar made detailed presentation on the respective projects before the NRKs.
"We are not just attempting to set up a metro system, but make Kochi a city with seamless transport system.We want NRKs to make investment in two major township projects of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd at Muttom and Kakkanad. While we are looking at an investment of Rs 20 crore for the 18-acre Kakkanad project, the investment for the 215 acre Muttom project is pegged at Rs 230 crore. Both these projects will soon be opened up for investment from NRKs," Elias George said.
G Chandramouli said the Rs 1,900 crore airport project was on the right track and they would be able conduct the trial run by December this year. "We have been able to get considerable investment from the Airports Authority of India. Of the 16 per cent stake open to public, we have been able to get investments for up to 14 per cent, and want the NRKs to invest for the remaining two per cent," Chandramouli said.
Meanwhile, Startup Village chairman Sanjay Vijayakumar highlighted the different investment options available for the NRKs at the Startup Village. "In the last three years of our operations, we have been able to support 900 startups and are targeting to support 10,000 startups by 2025. To fuel this growth, we are targeting a total investment of Rs 750 crore to set up a million sft world-class infrastructure incubation facility and an angel fund to finance the start ups," he added.
The event also witnessed health department secretary KS Elangovan highlighting the achievement of the state health care sector and the various welfare programme rolled out by health department. He sought the support of NRKs in 'Karunyam Kerala Project', which offers free cancer treatment to patients in the state.
The commission, which will function under the department of Home and the department of non-resident Keralites' Affairs (NORKA), will have quasi-judicial powers, said Kerala home minister Ramesh Chennithala.
"We will present a bill in this regard in the legislative Assembly. Once it is passed, we would soon initiate other necessary procedures to set up the commission," he said.
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The commission would be modelled on the lines of a similar body in Punjab, which was successfully addressing the issues of NRIs from that state.
Admitting the current system comprising an NRI cell under the home ministry has certain limitations in addressing the grievances of NRKs, the minister said, the proposed commission would be awarded full authority to take a final decision on such complaints.
He also said the Kerala government will set up mini-police stations at all three international airports in the state, provided the Airport Authority of India (AAI) gives necessary approvals and space.
The minister noted if the government had an effective system in place to solve issues faced by NRKs, Kerala would be able to attract more investments besides leveraging the current positive investment climate in the state.
He noted the increase in the number of Gulf returnees will adversely impact the state's economy given the fact the annual NRI remittances to Kerala was much higher than the state's annual Budget.
With the countries in the Gulf region going ahead with their "nationalisation", which gives preference to natives in jobs and other fields, over the foreigners, Kerala should seek more avenues for growth.
He said, "there are plenty of opportunities in countries like South Africa and we should make use of it".
Showcases infra projects for NRK's investment
To boost infrastructure development, Kerala government threw open three of its major projects- Kochi metro rail, Kannur International Airport and Startup Village- for investment by non-resident Keralites (NRKs).
KMRL managing director Elias George, Kannur International Airport Ltd managing director G Chandramouli and Startup Village chairman Sanjay Vijayakumar made detailed presentation on the respective projects before the NRKs.
"We are not just attempting to set up a metro system, but make Kochi a city with seamless transport system.We want NRKs to make investment in two major township projects of Kochi Metro Rail Ltd at Muttom and Kakkanad. While we are looking at an investment of Rs 20 crore for the 18-acre Kakkanad project, the investment for the 215 acre Muttom project is pegged at Rs 230 crore. Both these projects will soon be opened up for investment from NRKs," Elias George said.
G Chandramouli said the Rs 1,900 crore airport project was on the right track and they would be able conduct the trial run by December this year. "We have been able to get considerable investment from the Airports Authority of India. Of the 16 per cent stake open to public, we have been able to get investments for up to 14 per cent, and want the NRKs to invest for the remaining two per cent," Chandramouli said.
Meanwhile, Startup Village chairman Sanjay Vijayakumar highlighted the different investment options available for the NRKs at the Startup Village. "In the last three years of our operations, we have been able to support 900 startups and are targeting to support 10,000 startups by 2025. To fuel this growth, we are targeting a total investment of Rs 750 crore to set up a million sft world-class infrastructure incubation facility and an angel fund to finance the start ups," he added.
The event also witnessed health department secretary KS Elangovan highlighting the achievement of the state health care sector and the various welfare programme rolled out by health department. He sought the support of NRKs in 'Karunyam Kerala Project', which offers free cancer treatment to patients in the state.