TRIVANDRUM: Kerala’s NRI (non-resident Indian) Commission would help tackle the challenges of rehabilitating those returning from the Gulf countries for good, the state’s Minister for Expats KC Joseph has said.
The State Legislative Assembly adopted legislation to set up the quasi-judicial body four months back and finalised its members but they could not be sworn in as the “model code of conduct” for May 16 elections came into force last month leaving such appointments to the next government.
However, on Friday, the Kerala High Court gave a go-ahead to the government saying the “model code will not apply to the implementation of legislative actions.”
The commission is expected to start functioning soon.
“If voted back to power, we would take active steps in their rehabilitation with the involvement of the commission,” said Joseph, who is seeking re-election from the northern Kerala constituency of Irikkur for a record eighth consecutive term.
Kerala government has finally set up the NRI commission and announced a team of four members headed by a former judge of Indian High Court.
On March 3, the cabinet cleared the appointment of former Kerala High Court judge Justice P. Bhavadasan as its head and Dr Shamsheer Vayalil, an Abu Dhabi-based doctor and head of VPS Healthcare, Bhagwat Singh, a former Sharjah Indian Association president, former legislator PMA Salam and Bahrain-based journalist Soman Baby as members.
The HC dismissed objections of the Election Commission that the code of conduct came into force the next day and the cabinet decision would influence the elections as Indians residing abroad could be enrolled in electoral rolls as overseas electors.
The 1.6 million Keralite NRIs would be benefited from the commission which would look into the grievances of the overseas Indian citizens from Kerala and protect their rights, interests and properties.
The model code prohibited announcement of new schemes and programmes aimed at influencing the electors only after the announcement of the elections and it was meant to ensure that the ruling party did not “draw undue advantage by virtue of being in power” and “to make sure that all parties were provided with a level playing field.”
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