Thiruvananthapuram: 15.56 lakh Keralites returned to the state from abroad after the outbreak of Covid-19, and more than 71% of them had lost their jobs, according to data from the Non-Resident Keralites Department.
Of the 15,56,715 people who returned to the state since last year, 11,13,997 (71.56%) had returned after losing their jobs.
The largest number of migrants returned from the United Arab Emirates, from where 9,210,76 migrants returned to the state. There were also returnees from Saudi Arabia (1,78,692), Bahrain (45,982), Kuwait (53,149), Oman (1,41,225), Qatar (1,59,206) and other countries (57,385).
The government had announced a financial assistance of Rs 5,000 for the returnees from abroad. 1,75,474 people had applied for this financial relief, out of which relief amount has been sanctioned to 1,28,799 people.
The pandemic had also adversely affected foreign remittances in a big way. According to the State Planning Board data, there has been a 65% reduction in foreign remittances through authorized private money transfer routes in the state from January 2020 to May 2020.
government agencies such as Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) and Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC) have come up with several schemes for migrant returnees. KSIDC has offered loans for migrants who have returned to the state.
Loans will be offered to new or existing industrial units for expansion or asset creation. The Corporation’s assistance will be up to 50% of the project cost, subject to a maximum of Rs.2 crore. Around 150 return expats to be selected through Norka Routes will be supported under this scheme.
Launched by KFC with an aim to help returnees from other states and abroad to start their own business ventures, the Chief Minister’s Entrepreneurship Development Program (CMEDP) aims to open 5,000 new enterprises with 1,000 units per year over the next five years . The loan is given at an interest rate of 7% up to a maximum of Rs 50 lakh.
Apart from this, free training is also given in the areas of their choice. Although CMEDP was launched last year, KFC now wants to revive the initiative with small changes. In addition, Norca Routes had also started several schemes such as Norca Santavana, Norca Department scheme for returned immigrants, etc.
Of the 15,56,715 people who returned to the state since last year, 11,13,997 (71.56%) had returned after losing their jobs.
The largest number of migrants returned from the United Arab Emirates, from where 9,210,76 migrants returned to the state. There were also returnees from Saudi Arabia (1,78,692), Bahrain (45,982), Kuwait (53,149), Oman (1,41,225), Qatar (1,59,206) and other countries (57,385).
The government had announced a financial assistance of Rs 5,000 for the returnees from abroad. 1,75,474 people had applied for this financial relief, out of which relief amount has been sanctioned to 1,28,799 people.
The pandemic had also adversely affected foreign remittances in a big way. According to the State Planning Board data, there has been a 65% reduction in foreign remittances through authorized private money transfer routes in the state from January 2020 to May 2020.
government agencies such as Kerala State Industrial Development Corporation (KSIDC) and Kerala Financial Corporation (KFC) have come up with several schemes for migrant returnees. KSIDC has offered loans for migrants who have returned to the state.
Loans will be offered to new or existing industrial units for expansion or asset creation. The Corporation’s assistance will be up to 50% of the project cost, subject to a maximum of Rs.2 crore. Around 150 return expats to be selected through Norka Routes will be supported under this scheme.
Launched by KFC with an aim to help returnees from other states and abroad to start their own business ventures, the Chief Minister’s Entrepreneurship Development Program (CMEDP) aims to open 5,000 new enterprises with 1,000 units per year over the next five years . The loan is given at an interest rate of 7% up to a maximum of Rs 50 lakh.
Apart from this, free training is also given in the areas of their choice. Although CMEDP was launched last year, KFC now wants to revive the initiative with small changes. In addition, Norca Routes had also started several schemes such as Norca Santavana, Norca Department scheme for returned immigrants, etc.
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