State plans to bring back stranded NRKs

Thiruvananthapuram: Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said on Wednesday  the government was planning a unique scheme to facilitate the home-coming of Gulf Malayalis who could not visit their dear ones for periods ranging from five to 10 years.  He also said the  government was awaiting the central clearance to launch the Air Kerala project.

At the cabinet briefing,  Mr Chandy said he had directed NORKA Minister K.C. Joseph to collect the details from the Gulf countries about Malayalis who have not returned home for 10, seven and five years. As of now, some airlines have offered to provide free tickets while there is also a plan to have chartered aircraft for this purpose.

“It is our social responsibility to provide an opportunity to the people who could not return home mai-nly due to financial reason-s. I have come across fath-ers who chose to skip their daughters’ marriages to save money. Imagine their emotions. We expect all Ma-layali associations to cooperate with the initiative,” he said.

On Air Kerala, he said the government was not going back on the project. The government’s intention to bring in a low-cost airlines was not for profit-making but to help NRKs who were being fleeced by private air companies who often jack up fares from 30 to 300 per cent depending on the demand and season.

The state is awaiting relaxation in the conditions for commencing international flight services, including five-year mandatory domestic operation, he said.