Kerala prepared to rehabilitate Gulf returnees: CM Vijayan
NEW DELHI : With the Centre’s support, the state government is ready to rehabilitate Gulf returnees who have suffered job losses, said Kerala’s Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.government is fully equipped to receive our brothers and sisters from the Gulf.
In an exclusive interview with Khaleej Times l, the Chief Minister said: “Government of Kerala has sought necessary support from the Centre to introduce rehabilitation measures for those who may lose their jobs. This is a herculean task; which the State alone cannot bear.”
He added: “At the same time, we should utilise the skill and calibre of those people who will be returned. If we can provide adequate support to these people, their entrepreneurship can enrich the economy.”
As thousands of non-resident Indians (NRIs) and non-resident Keralites (NRKs) across the Gulf region eagerly await to hear from the Indian government on the status on emergency repatriation, the chief minister has said ‘no stone will be left unturned to ensure their smooth repatriation’. Over 100,000 NRKs from across the world have already registered on the Norka Roots, the Kerala government welfare body for NRKs, website since its launch on Sunday.
Chief Minister said,”We have even categorised the people based on priorities like those who have gone there on temporary or short-term visit visas, especially older people, women and children, pregnant women and those require medical treatment for illness other than Covid-19.”
We have identified places like hostels, convention centres and guest houses near airports that can be used as quarantine facilities. Apart from the government hospitals, several private hospitals in the state have offered their infrastructure, including ambulances and manpower to be used as in the fight against Covid-19, and for setting up quarantine facilities.
The government will provide an adequate number of doctors, health workers and volunteers to facilitate their safe return and safe living. We would certainly see that each and every need of returnees are taken care of.
Notably, 2.76 lakh Pravasi Malayalees from 150 countries have registered till now on the Norka website indicating their desire to come back to Kerala. As per the initial numbers, Malappuram, Kozhikode, Kannur and Thrissur districts have the maximum number of Pravasi returnees.
“If the Central government decides to bring the Pravasis by ships, we will make similar arrangements at the ports also. There is no shortage of Viral Transport Medium and we have enough stock of PCR and RNA extraction kits. The Kerala Medical Services Corporation has been directed to procure more kits”, the CM added.
“A committee under the District Collector with representatives from the Airports Authority of India, Kerala Police, and Head Department would oversee the elaborate arrangements at the airports to receive the Pravasi Malayalees. There will be doctors and paramedical staff at the airport for detailed checking of the arriving passengers,” the statement said.
The rooster of passengers would be obtained from the Civil Aviation Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs well in advance, it said.
Notably, the registration for Malayalees in other states will also begin on April 29. Those from Kerala who are currently stuck or stranded in different parts of the country because of the lockdown and desire to come back to their state can register their details on the Norka website www.registernorkaroots.com.
Priority would be given to those who have gone for medical treatment in other states and residents of other states who have registered for specialist treatment in Kerala. Students, those who have lost jobs, those who went for exams or interviews can also register.
