Malayalees residing in the State can now apply for the government-issued ‘Pravasi Identity Cards’ which can be used as proof of identity in Kerala and also to claim benefits extended by the Kerala government.
The new initiative was announced by K.C. Joseph, Minister of Non-Residents Kerala Affairs (NORKA), government of Kerala, at a function organised here on Saturday. Mr. Joseph also inaugurated the NORKA satellite office here and signed a MoU with Confederation of AP Malayalee Association (CAMA) to implement a slew of welfare programmes aimed at connecting with Malayalee diaspora in the State.
According to the new initiatives, poor non-resident Malayalee families can now get an insurance coverage. ‘Pravasi Insurance Identity Cards’ will be provided to them through which they will be eligible for financial benefits that include a Rs. 2 lakh compensation in case of the death of the person. The cards will be valid for three years and can be renewed on payment of Rs. 300.
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Mr. Joseph also launched ‘Malayalee Mission’. Under this scheme, Malayalee associations will provide free Malayalam language classes to the children from the diaspora. On successful completion of the course, the students will receive a certificate issued by the Kerala government.
“Malayalee associations will be the nodal agencies for implementing these schemes, and one should be a member of an association to get benefit from these schemes,” P. Sviasankaran, president of Nair Welfare Association, explained. To locate the nearest association in your area, visit the website ‘www.camaonline.in’.