Minister promises to consider NRKs' recommendations

Kerala Government will actively consider the recommendations and suggestions evolved during various interactive sessions of the two-day global NRK Meet, state NORKA Minister K C Joseph said today.
"NORKA department is interested to work in collaboration with overseas Malayalee organisations for the welfare of NRKs (Non-Resident Keralites)," the Minister said at a session titled 'Mobilising the Community for NRK welfare' at the global NRK meet here which began yesterday.
T K Manoj Kumar, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, suggested that government has to seriously consider putting in place a system through which Malayalee organisations abroad can get affiliation to the Non-Resident Keralites' Affairs (NORKA) Department and cooperate with the state's developmental activities.

Representatives of various NRK Malayalee associations have urged the state government to strengthen the overseas NORKA helpdesk to ensure effective communication and prompt settlement of issues faced by NRKs working abroad.
"There are a lot of Keralites in need of legal help in Gulf countries. By strengthening the helpdesk, legal aid can be extended to the victims in association with respective embassies and various Malayalee organisations," P K Anvar Naha, President of KMCC, Dubai, said.
They also raised concerns over the decision by the Ministry of Civil Aviation for 'not enlisting' the Cochin International Airport as an international hub.
Employment for skilled gulf-returnees in the corporate sector, setting up of an NRK University in Kerala and revising pravasi pension were some of the suggestions put forward by the representatives during the session.