Gulf-Cochin ferry service soon

The minister, who is on a four-day visit to the UAE, said several Gulf-based shipping companies, including those from Muscat and Doha, have come forward to launch the ferry service that offers a two-way trip at less than half the air fares currently being charged by airlines on the Gulf-Kerala sector.

"We have been trying in vain to convince Air India, our national carrier, to reduce its fare structure which is believed to be unreasonably high. Higher air fares have been one of the long-standing grievances of some 1.8 million Gulf-based Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs). We are happy that with the launch of the ferry service - most likely before Onam - non resident Keralites in the Gulf will be able to realise their dream of an affordable passage to India," he said.

He blamed the federal aviation ministry for not taking any step to lower the fares even after the state government drastically cut the fuel surcharge.

The minister said an MoU for the ferry service was signed with the two shipping firms at the Global Investment Meet held in Cochin early this year. "We will see that the new ferry serivce will be well-streamlined without any of the technical and logistical hitches faced by a similar attempt initiated a few years ago by another shipping line," the minister said.

"My trip to the Gulf has been delayed because I wanted to come here with something concrete I can offer for the well-being of the expatriates. Now, after 22 months in office, the government led by A.K Antony has chalked out several schemes and programmes aimed at the welfare of NRKs," he said.

The minister, a former state Youth Congress president, and now a close confidante of the chief minister, said he is expecting enthusiastic response from NRKs to the government-initiated social security scheme ensuring them a regular monthly income when they return to their home state.

The pension-cum-insurance scheme - Pravasi Swasraya - launched under the auspices of ‘Roots - NRK Development Initiative', has provisions for monetary security to the family of NRKs in the event of their death. It also ensures them a regular stream of income after the age of 40. The scheme is being launched in association with Life Insurance Corporation of India.

Mr Hassan said ‘Pravasi Swasraya' is a collection of six schemes brought under one umbrella as a basket of options to suit the needs of different kinds of people.

Another scheme under way - My Village, My Dream - seeks to mobilise NRK resources for regional developmental projects.