The Hindu : Front Page : Welfare scheme for Non-Resident Keralites

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Wednesday, Mar 26, 2008
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Welfare scheme for Non-Resident Keralites

N.J. Nair

Pension benefits, loans to be part of the package

Primarily for those doing menial
jobs abroad
Pension, other benefits for those aged above 60

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 metropolitan cities and overseas will be the major beneficiaries of the scheme which intends to provide pension and other benefits to NoRKs 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 NoRKs left with the Centre and donations.

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

All NoRKs 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. Maternity benefits and loans for housing, education and setting up self-employment ventures are the other pluses. The scheme would also help relatives fly in the bodies of those who die abroad.

Director board

The draft Bill envisages formation of a director board comprising 11 members. Five of them would be drawn from Malayali associations within the country and abroad. It would also have representatives of NoRKA, Labour, Finance and Law Departments and local self-government institutions.

The Chief Executive Officer of NoRKA-Roots would be a board member.The proposed board would have powers to borrow money with the consent of the government and also to promote companies and cooperative societies with a representation of NoRKs.

A representative of a local body has been proposed to identify the credential of those who seek membership.

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