Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs) holding Norka identity cards and their kin would be eligible for a 7% fare cut in Oman Airways flights and the State government would try to get this concession from more airline companies, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.
Addressing Keralites at the Dubai Indian Academy School on Friday, Mr. Vijayan said the Centre had assured him that more services would be introduced in different sectors during festival seasons and the information about the additional flights would be provided in advance to make reservation easy, he said.
The government would set up a World Kerala Centre, Loka Kerala Kendram to fortify the relation between NRKs and the State. Various welfare initiatives have also been worked out for NRKs.
The Loka Kerala Sabha was constituted for making use of the skill of Keralites employed in different countries.
The Overseas Keralites Investment and Holding Limited Company was floated as per the recommendations of the sabha for mobilising investments with NRK participation, he said. The Norka Identity cards were introduced for easing the hurdles for interacting with the State government. Mr. Vijayan also interacted with the Keralites who had been living in the labour camps for years.
Mr. Vijayan said that NRKs had been playing a creative role in he State’s development and the people experienced the warmth when tragedies such as Ockhi and the flood hit the State. The NRKs related their woes and problems and Mr. Vijayan clarified their doubts at the function named as Vision Kerala 2020.
Construction company
Participating in an NRI investors’ meet in Dubai, ‘NRK Emerging Entrepreneurs Meet’, Mr. Vijayan said that the government would float an NRI Construction Company, as an ancillary to the NRI Investment Company.
The government was keen on ensuring that the NRI investments were used in a productive manner, he said.
He assured that the government would create a milieu conducive for major investments in the State.
Industries Minister E.P. Jayarajan and Speaker P. Sreeramakrishnan were also present.
