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March 2024
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Schemes
Even while engaged in the struggles and hardships to make up a life abroad, each non-residential Malayali is nostalgic about his homeland and his roots. The diverse numbers of Kerala Diaspora, especially from the Gulf have high hopes on comprehensive schemes for NRKs.

NRK welfare is the prime concern of the Government and it plan and executes various schemes and projects for the purpose. Government being committed to the problems of Non-Resident Keralites has launched various schemes in collaboration with other agencies in order to provide social security cover to millions of NRKs who toil away from the land of their birth.

Pravasi Identity Card

The government of Kerala has decided to issue photo identity cards for the non-resident Keralites working for a minimum of 6 months in a foreign country. The ID card will be issued to all the NRKs working abroad across the globe. The ID card would be a base material for long-term policy formulation of Government. This is for the first time that a state government is implementing such a major scheme for its people.

The Government has entrusted NORKA-ROOTS as the implementing agency of the scheme. NRK Identity Card Cells have been constituted in Thiruvananthapuran, Kochi and Kozhikode districts for receiving the applications of the NRKs. The districts pertaining to each zone as detailed below can submit their applications in the three regional centers of NORKA-ROOTS.

The NRK who are either residing or working abroad at least for 6 months and have completed 18 years of age are eligible for applying the card. The validity of the card is of 3 years. NRKs can apply for the ID Cards by submitting their application duly verified and attested by the people’s representatives, concerned embassies or the gazzetted officers of Government of Kerala. Copies of the relevant pages of passport and visa are to be enclosed along with the application. The registration fee is only Rs. 200/- per person.

The New India Insurance Company will provide insurance coverage to the card holders. The coverage is given for accidental death, permanent and total or partial disability of the card holder. A unique master policy number is depicted in each card.

Karunyam: Repatriation of dead bodies of NRKs

Repatriation of dead bodies of NRKs is one of the major problems that require Government attention. “Losing a loved one is very difficult as it is - there is no need for added stress” is not a mere comment from a Non resident Keralite but it emphasizes the need of urgent measures to streamline the process for the transfer of bodies to their home country.

Non Resident Keralites upset by long, aggravated procedures, take up several days to repatriate a body.  Further more, financial assistance for the repatriation of dead body/bodies and subsequent settlement of claims is a foremost need for majority of the NRKs. By realising this, NORKA has constituted fund for extending financial assistance to legal heirs of NRKs for repatriation of dead bodies of NRKs who expired while abroad or in an Indian State outside Kerala. Details

Swanthwana

Thousands of Keralalites working in at foreign countries return home on expiry of visa or termination of their contracts. The plight of many NRK workers, particularly in the labour category, is pitiable once they lose their jobs, as they have several family members who depend on them.

Swanthwana is a Relief Fund Scheme that has been launched for NRKs in distress. This scheme targets NRK returnees living on below poverty line and similarly placed dependents of deceased NRK’s. The scheme is devised to meet financial requirements for marriages, medical treatment etc. and posthumous aid to provide social security to and their family or dependents.


Rehabilitation of NRK returnees

In the beginning, the job opportunities abroad and the wage rates there were attractive to Keralites. But for the last few years such alluring factors have disappeared dreadful conditions have set in and reach its peak during the Global recession. This has caused return of a considerable number of NRKs to the state. Most of them are facing the fear of insecurity to life, retrenchment and setback. They also feel there is no better avenue in their homeland, as they seek here.

As an acknowledgement of their commitment to their contribution to the homeland Government has the responsibility to engage in the programmes for Rehabilitation of NRK returnees.