Kerala job scheme for Gulf returnees

Thiruvananthapuram: A whopping 18,500 returnees have so far turned up for  the self-employment scheme mooted by the NORKA department to provide financial assistance to Gulf returnees.

Titled NORKA Department Project for Return Emigrants (NDPREM), the scheme was launched a couple of months back. The highlights of the scheme are ten percent capital subsidy, subject to a maximum of Rs 2 lakh, and minimum bank guarantee.

Though the entries to the project were  closed earlier, the government has now decided to offer it to those returning from Saudi Arabia following Nitaqat.

“We have received applications for projects in various business ventures like taxi services, dairy farm, juice shops, agricultural purposes, printing unit and small scale manufacturing units.

The viability of the project would be evaluated with the help of the officials of the departments concerned before arranging financial help,” said NORKA Roots chief executive officer P. Sudeep.

The NORKA Roots has already signed an agreement with Canara Bank to provide loan of  up to Rs 20 lakh at an interest of 10.5 percent to those who wish to start taxi and travel services.

Ten percent of the amount would be subsidised by the NORKA and hence if a person availed of a loan of Rs 20 lakh, he needs to repay only Rs 18 lakh.

Screening to select the first batch of beneficiaries of the scheme will be held here next week and similar screening will be held in Kochi and Kozhikode subsequently.

“Since the formalities for starting taxi services are easier compared other sectors, we gave priority to taxis first,” said Sudeep.