THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: While former Finance Minister K M Mani has launched a scathing attack on the Pravasi Chitty, the Kerala State Financial Enterprises (KSFE) is planning a massive campaign to tackle the smear allegations. Mani had recently claimed that the Pravasi Chitty was an impractical idea that would run into a legal tangle. He also claimed that the government’s plan to invest the Pravasi Chitty funds in Kerala Infrastructure Investment Fund Board’s (KIIFB) bonds was illegal.
The Pravasi Chitty was a budget proposal of Finance Minister Thomas Isaac to mobilise `10,000 crore for the KIIFB. The NRKs who participate in the government’s mega capacity building exercise are offered extra benefits like insurance coverage and linkage with various NRK welfare measures. Meanwhile, NRKs are showing a thumping response to the scheme with 1.34 lakh persons expressing interest to join the scheme.
Nearly 7,000 have already registered with the scheme by submitting necessary documents. The government and the KSFE have rubbished Mani’s allegations terming them “politically motivated.” “Besides praising the scheme, Mani, at the inaugural of the registration for the scheme, had said that the steps to facilitate the Pravasi Chitty were started during his tenure,” KSFE chairman Peelipose Thomas said. The KSFE now plans a massive counter-campaign which would feature Mani’s previous stand on the scheme. For this, it would bring out a booklet that will have the government orders issued during Mani’s tenure facilitating registration of NRKs in KSFE chitties.
The booklet will be distributed at the campaign programmes to be held in the UAE, where the scheme would be launched in the first phase. A delegation led by KSFE chairman Peelipose Thomas will visit the UAE on July 18 to meet the representatives of different NRK organisations.
This year, Finance Minister Thomas Isaac’s Onam celebrations will be at a labour camp in Dubai. According to the KSFE chairman, the minister’s visit would boost the confidence of NRKs.
The minister will also meet the management of different companies with a significant number of NRK staff. “The companies will be urged to support the scheme by facilitating direct deduction of the chit instalments from employees’ salary,” he said.
KIIFB bonds to be more secure
In the wake of Mani’s allegations, the state government will further strengthen the authenticity of KIIFB bonds. Using its power, the state government will include KIIFB bonds among securities notified by the government under the Indian Trusts Act.
Survey
The KSFE has asked the Kudumbashree to share the data of its soon-to-be-launched NRK survey. “Proper data will help us have an idea on the target audience. The Kudumbashree will be paid for the data provided,” Peelipose Thomas said.
This year, Finance Minister Thomas Isaac’s Onam celebrations will be at a labour camp in Dubai. According to KSFE chairman Peelipose Thomas, the minister’s visit would boost the confidence of NRKs