Memorandum presented to Kerala Governor Justice P.Sathasivam

A memorandum explaining the problems faced by NRIs and Gulf returnees was presented to Hon.Governor of Kerala, Juctice P.Sathasivam by Kerala State NRI Co-ordination Council Chairman Pravasibandhu S.Ahmed along with Vice Chairman Kadakkal Ramesh, BJP National Council member Sri.Karamana Jayan and well known writer and social worker Dr.Kayamkulam Yoonus Kunju.

05.11.2014

MEMORANDUM

To,

            Sri. Justice (Retd.) P.Sathasivam

            Hon. Governor

            Govt. of Kerala

            Raj Bhavan

            Trivandrum.

Hon. Governor,

Sub:- Rehabilitation of returned NRIs

There are more than three million Keralites working in different countries including Middle East, USA, Europe, Australia etc. These hardworking people have added extensively to the foreign currency reserve of our nation. The influx of Keralites towards the Middle East started nearly six decades ago, when poverty and unemployment was very common in Kerala. Now there is atleast one member of a family in Kerala working abroad, who is the main bread­winner of that family. The living standards of Keralites, their food habits, their health situation, educational status and residential concepts are totally changed.

          All Kerala Gulf Returnees’ Organisation (AKGRO) was formed 26 years back under the leadership of Pravasibandhu S.Ahmed, who was the founder President and he has led several agitations against the state as well as central governments demanding rehabilitation of poor gulf returnees, pension for them and for several schemes for self employment. AKGRO is one among the 36 NRI organizations registered under Kerala State NRIs and Gulf Returnees’ Co-ordination Council.

During the last two decades several Keralites came back from the gulf, either because they lost the job or due to health problems. A good majority of them are living under very poor financial situations. Many of them have crossed the age limit to enter into a government job or they are not able to do any physical work because of ill health. The number of returnees are increasing every year. This community has contributed a lot for the social upliftment of our State. The State and Central governments have a moral responsibility to lookafter the financially suffering returnees. Now we have a Pravasi Department at the centre with a Cabinet Rank Minister. In Kerala also there is a NORKA department under the Chief Minister of Kerala. But no steps are so far taken to protect the interests of the returnees either by Central Government or State Government.

Passengers from Kerala travelling by Air India are facing several difficulties like high airfares and misbehavior from the crew. We request Hon. Governor to advice Air India to give more attention to the gulf bound passengers from Kerala.

Given below are some of our grievances :

1)               Rehabilitation of returned NRIs in the State by creating job opportunities for them.

2)               Interest free loans for the returnees to start small scale business.

3)               Financial assistance for medical treatment for poor returnees.

4)               Financial assistance for the educational expenses of children of returnees.

5)               Pension payment for all the returnees who have completed 55 years.

6)               Pension payment for the widows whose husbands died in the gulf or other countries.

7)               Voting rights for NRIs.

8)               Dual citizenship for the NRIs with identification cards for the returned NRIs also.

9)               Reservation for government jobs for the returned NRIs

10)           Relaxation of formalities for bringing the body of those killed in foreign countries.

11)           Job security for those who go to work in the Middle East.

12)       Protection from harassment of sponsors towards women workers who work abroad.

13)       Relaxation of Emigration fees for those who get employment in the Middle East.

14)       More airline services from different destinations in Kerala to the Middle East.

We  request Hon.Governor to present this memorandum to the Union Cabinet at the Centre and help the returnees and NRI Community to come out of their problems.

We request Hon. Governor to advice Union Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs to include our organization also in the Committees and Boards formed by Central and State Governments to discuss different aspects of rehabilitation of Gulf returnees.

            Thanking you very much in anticipation.

                                                                        Yours faithfully,

                                           For Kerala State NRIs & Gulf

                                                Returnees Co-ordination Council

  

Pravasibandhu S. Ahamed                                               Kadakkal Ramesh

Chairman                                                                                Vice Chairman          

Mob: 09847131456                                                                Mob:09387801535

E-mail : pravasibharathibulletin@gmail.com                 Email: kadakkalramesh@gmail.com