The pangs of Gulf Malayalis who are being
squeezed by private airlines following the Air India strike have moved the
state government into action.
Among the proposals being considered by the
government to bring relief to the NRKs are starting a ship service from Kerala
to the Gulf and reviving the ‘Kerala Airways’ project. Another ambitious plan
is to launch a special bank for NRI investments.
The ship service project will be presented
at the ‘Emerging Kerala’ summit this November. The idea is to provide Malayalis
working in the Gulf nations with a cheaper mode of transportation, said NORKA
Minister K C Joseph in the Assembly on Wednesday.
The Kerala Airways project was mooted by
the previous UDF government, but it was shelved because to start an
international air service, a minimum of five years’ experience in the domestic
sector was essential.
But now, with private airlines increasing
the fares arbitrarily, the government was reviving the project, he said.
The proposal to start a special bank for
NRI investments has been placed before the Reserve Bank of India. The
government was seriously looking at a mechanism whereby NRI investments can be
effectively used for the state’s flagship projects such as mono-rail, Kochi
Metro and the Kannur airport.
Currently an official delegation from the
state is on a visit to ensure maximum participation in the ‘Emerging Kerala’
summit, he said. The state has also asked the Centre to appoint at least one
Malayali in the embassies in the Gulf countries. The government also proposed to
introduce Pravasi development bonds to ensure investments, he said
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