Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala’s budget for 2020-21 presented by state finance minister T.M. Thomas Isaac on Friday was predictably sober considering the slowdown felt in the economy across India. But the state budget had some bright spots for non-resident Keralites.
The Pravasi Fund — a reserve meant for the welfare of non-resident Keralites — has been proposed to be raised from the current level of Rs300 million to Rs900 million (Dh15.42 million to Dh46.26 million).
In addition, the finance minister earmarked Rs120 million for the Loka Kerala Sabha (LKS), or the global fraternity of Keralites. The LKS has been set up in the context of the fact that a number of decisions that pertain to the lives of non-resident Keralites are often taken without their knowledge or taking their opinion.
The LKS aims to provide a more inclusive democratic space in which non-resident Keralites are duly represented in matters where they are directly affected.
The second edition of the LKS was held earlier this year in the state capital, which was attended by leading non-resident Keralites from around the world.
Nominated members of the LKS include select returnees from abroad, and non-resident Keralites from other states or union territories within India. The LKS includes eminent non-resident Keralites who have contributed immensely in their respective fields of engagement. The general public can also propose non-resident Keralites of Indian citizenship as prospective members of the LKS.
Isaac also earmarked Rs20 million for the Norka business facilitation centre. Norka is a government-backed organisation that deals with non-resident Keralites’ affairs. It aims to ensure welfare of non-residents and serves as a single-point kiosk regarding them.
Interestingly, from the finance minister’s budget speech on Friday, the state seems poised to swell its number of non-residents. Thomas Isaac said the government planned to provide foreign language and soft skills training to youth in nursing and such sectors to assist them in finding jobs abroad.
In the long term, this will lead to more non-resident Keralites and more inward remittances. Kerala’s domestic economy is already bolstered by roughly Rs1 trillion of remittances from its non-resident population from around the world each year.
Much of Kerala’s consumption — from apartments in high-rises to luxury vehicles and expensive home and personal gadgets — are fuelled by these remittances.
What’s in the Kerala budget for NRKs
• Rs900 million for Pravasi Fund
• Rs120 million for Loka Kerala Sabha
• Rs20 million for Norka business facilitation centre
