Thiruvananthapuram, April 25: Kerala Chief Minister, Shri Pinarayi Vijayan today informed that Shri Rajiv Gauba IAS, Cabinet Secretary has appreciated the efforts of the State Government in taking up the cause of the Pravasi Malayalees and chalking out a concrete plan for their return and rehabilitation, once they are back in Kerala. The Cabinet Secretary has commended that Kerala’s plans for the Pravasis can be a role model for other states to follow and implement.

The Cabinet Secretary expressed this view today during a video conference meeting with the Chief Secretaries of the States. The Centre is satisfied with the interventions of the State Government in handling the Covid situation.

Shri Tom Jose IAS Chief Secretary of Kerala had presented in detail the steps being planned by the State Government in bringing back the non-resident Keralites, once the restrictions on international flights to India are revoked, and also the action to be taken once they are back in Kerala. Harsh Vardhan Shringla IFS, Foreign Secretary has informed the Chief Secretary that fruitful interventions would be done in this regard by the Central Government.

Meanwhile, the Chief Minister said that the State Government is expecting a financial assistance package from the Centre. “The State is going through a financial crisis and we have reiterated our demand during today’s VC meeting. We are expecting a comprehensive package for the State as well as sector-specific packages. We would also repeat the same on Monday during the VC meeting of the Prime Minister with the State Chief Ministers. We hope they would consider our request favourably.”

The CM also announced that non-resident Keralites and students in other states can register on the NORKA website if they wish to come back to Kerala after the lockdown period, as per the guidelines of the Central Government. “This would give us an idea of how many people are there, who plans to return to the State and we would be able to prepare accordingly. We understand the Central Government is working on bringing back the non-resident Indians from abroad. We will work out a plan for the students in other States also.”