Kerala to set up diaspora data bank

The Kerala government will prepare a data bank of the Malayalee diaspora to provide details of their qualifications and expertise, state Finance Minister K.M. Mani said Friday.

"I have set aside Rs.5 million to set up a data bank of diaspora who are experts in various fields and their expertise could be used for the betterment of the state," Mani said, while reading out the budget proposals for the next fiscal.

The budget proposals have allocated Rs.6 million for advertisements in the print and electronic media here to create awareness among those who aspire to go abroad for jobs.

"In the past, many people from Kerala have landed up in jails in foreign countries after being duped by agents here. Through an awareness campaign we will be able to prevent people from getting misled," said Mani.

He has also set aside Rs.1 billion for a rehabilitation package for the returning diaspora and another Rs.2.5 million for conducting investor seminars and for promotion of Kerala culture in the US and Europe.