THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: A contributory pension scheme in association with LIC and a 'Santhwanam' scheme for assistance to NRKs with an annual income of less than Rs 1 lakh are among the announcements for the Pravasi community made in the budget on Friday. The budget reflects the feedback from NRKs during the Loka Kerala Sabha held recently. Finance Minister Thomas Isaac even earmarked Rs 19 crore for follow-up of LKS as well as the conduct of Global Kerala Festival.
One of the major concerns raised by many NRIs during the LKS was that the Rs 2,000 pension scheme being offered by the government now was not attractive. They also pressed for a contributory pension scheme. "A scheme for giving higher pension is being formulated on the basis of a special deposit to the pension fund. A scheme has been formulated in consultation with LIC for giving pension to those who deposit their money either on completion of the payment of premium or on getting the lot of the Pravasi Chitty," said Mr. Isaac. The Santhwanam scheme would offer treatment expense, legal assistance, air ambulance, bringing back the dead body and assistance to those who are released from jails. '16 crore is earmarked for it.
