MUSCAT: Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Saturday launched a host of welfare schemes for Non-Resident Indians from the state who are affected due to coronavirus outbreak.

In his daily media briefing, the Kerala CM has announced the following measures.

1. 15,000 people who are currently receiving Pravasi pension will additinally receive Rs 1000/-
2. Those Covid-19 infected patients who are registered with the Pravasi Welfare Board will receive a financial aid of Rs 10,000/-
   (Pravasi Welfare Board will fund for the above mentioned benefits)
3. Those Keralities who cannot return to GCC countries due to the lockdown and those will receive a financial aid of Rs 5,000. Those whose visas have expired are also eligible for thus scheme.
4. Covid-19 relief measures will be included in the Prasvasi Welfare Board and those who are do not receive benefits from it will also get a financial aid of Rs 10,000.

Meanwhile, PM Jabir, Welfare Secretary of Indian Social Club and Director of Pravasi Pension Board welcomed the measures taken by the Chief Minister to address the concerns of Keralities living in GCC countries. “This will greatly help those who NRIs who are affected by Covid-19. There are hundreds of Malayalis who are stuck in the state as they are not able to return to the work place in Gulf. This will immensely help them,” Jabir added.