Kozhikode: The state government will launch the Loka Kerala Sabha (LKS) to provide a platform for Non-Resident Keralites to share ideas and have their say on the socio-economic and cultural front of the state next month. It will be a 351-member body consisting of MPs, MLAs, 100 Keralites residing outside the country, 42 Keralites and 30 eminent personalities residing outside Kerala and six Gulf returnees.
The decisions made by the LKS after deliberations and discussions will be included in the government policy. “It is not envisaged as a platform to attract the capital from NRKs and use it for the state’s development. Priority will be given to seek their opinions on various matters concerning the state,” said Norka-Roots CEO, Jafar Malik.
The LKS will be officially launched at a two-day function being organised by Norka-Roots in Thiruvananthapuram from January 12. Apart from the MLAs and MPs from Kerala, elected Malayali representatives of other states and other countries can also be part of the LKS. The nominated NRKs’ tenure is for two years and the LKS will have a minimum of one sitting in two years. In the first stage, only Keralites having Indian citizenship will be considered.
“The hall in the down floor of the Assembly building will host the LKS meet. The chief minister will be the leader of the Loka Kerala Sabha and the opposition leader will be the deputy leader,” said information and public relations department director T.V. Subhash. There are 22.8 lakh NRIs and 9.31 lakh NRKs as per the Kerala migration survey, 2011.
