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M.M.HASSAN, Chairman, ROOTS,
associated with Norka,
Justice K.Sukumaran, Chairman, Niyama Sameeksha,
Mr. Padma Kumar, Chairman, Federal Bank,
Contributor to NORKA-NISA Projects and Mr.
D.B.Binu, Editor, Niyama Sameeksha.
Non-resident Keralites make massive
contributions to the Indian Union and to the
Kerala State. The two million emigrants
substantially sustain the economy of the State.
Those who serve outside India have very many
problems related to their surroundings, current
employment, domestic issues and the like.
Among the Non-resident Keralites, a substantial
section are migrants to Gulf Countries. They
belong to the weaker sections mostly. The study
made by the Govt. of India has found them to
merit specialized consideration and follow up
action. This is indicated in the report.
The Govt. of Kerala is, perhaps, the first among
the States to have formed a separate and
independent Department to look into the problems
of the Non-residents from the State.
The Department had its teething troubles. It
took some time for the organizational set up to
be on a working arrangement.
I became Minister in Charge of the Department
when a new Ministry came into power after the
elections of 2001.
The Government endeavoured its best to give
priority attention to the difficulties of the
Non-resident Keralites. This was in spite of the
Constitutional and Legal difficulties in the
way. Emigration is a Central subject. Entry 19
in the Union List of the Constitution confers
power on the Govt. of India to deal with the
Legal and Administrative Problems of Emigrants.
The Emigration Act, 1983 was enacted in exercise
of the powers of the Govt. of India under the
Constitutional Scheme.
It was a general experience that whenever some
thing went wrong, the Migrant Keralites or the
dependents of his family looked up to the State
Government and its Agencies as the provider of
relief. The death of an emigrant in the foreign
soil, naturally generated anguish in the
bereaved family. The worries start immediately.
The first and foremost is regarding the dead
body being reached to the home State and to the
home.
Quite often it was a long wait. There was
general dissatisfaction over the delays which
some times extended beyond a month.
With the increase in job opportunities,
Recruiting Agents and Travel Agents became
operative even in rural areas. They played a
helpful role both to the State and to the
Indenting Emigrants in bettering their prospects
in life. Unfortunately, fraudulent elements
appeared in the scene and this resulted in many
innocent people losing substantial sums handed
over to the unscrupulous operators who suddenly
disappear.
The complaints in all these cases are addressed
to the State Government, its Police Department
and other limbs of Administration.
The Government bestowed its serious thoughts on
these problems.
One area where priority attention was needed was
in respect of Legal Aid and Legal Services to
the emigrants and to their families.
An agreement was entered into between the ROOTS
and NIYAMA SAMEEKSHA on 27th January 2004, for
providing Legal Aid and Legal Services to the
Non-resident Keralites.
NORKA-NISA arrangement which came into existence
under such auspicious has been operating
satisfactorily ever since.
Under the arrangement, any Emigrant of his
family can seek legal advice in respect of any
problem from NIYAMA SAMEEKSHA, which has its
office very near the High Court of Kerala. The
office has all modern gadgets and a team of
dedicated Legal Volunteers who serve the
Non-resident Keralites.
ROOTS have received the report of the working of
this arrangement up to 31-7-2004. The list of
cases dealt with is impressive. I am happy that
in very many cases, relief were actually
obtained by the Non-residents as a result of
these services.
It was after the Press Conference held in this
place on 4.8.04, that effective publicity was
obtained for the working of NORKA-NISA.
I am happy that there was good response from
Non-residents, not only in the Gulf Countries
but also from other Developed Countries. The
grievances voiced were from all segments of the
Society. Persons well employed in advanced
countries also had their problems in relation to
their properties or other legal connections with
the home land. All these problems have been
attended to by NORKA-NISA, as expeditiously as
had been possible in the circumstances.
Representations were received some times from
responsible Non-resident Associations in the
foreign countries. Incidentally, it may be
mentioned that there are about 156 Associations
in Gulf Countries, about 36 in America and 26 in
other countries.
In the light of three Seminars held by
NORKA-NISA in Calicut and Ernakulam, the
problems of Non-residents got pin pointed. In
the light of that experience, it was felt that
some attention was over due in relation to the
implementation of Emigration Act, 1983.
The State Government could not have any direct
role in attempting that larger problem. However,
the problems were very pressing. The Kerala
Govt. did what it could do as second best. A
High Powered Committee was appointed by the
Government to suggest amendments to the
Emigration Act, 1983.
As Minister in Charge of the Department, I was
happy about the substantial contribution that
could be made for the redressal of emigrants’
grievances by the appointment of the Committee.
Justice K.Sukumaran, Chairman of the Committee,
would brief the Press about the working of the
Committee and the further requests to the Media
for cooperation and assistance for finalizing
its report.
It is expected that the report would be
submitted to the Govt. on the International
Emigration Day, 18th of December 2004.
One major achievement of the NORKA-NISA
arrangement is the launching of a Regional
Office in Trichur. COSTFORD generously offered a
building for the working of NORKA-NISA.
Niyamasahba Speaker Therambil Ramakrishnan
inaugurated that office in the presence of
Trichur District Collector and a large number of
social activist were present there. I am happy
to record that the enlightened students of the
Sal Sabeel Public School and the Law College,
Trichur made their impressive presents in that
meeting.
The involvement of the public in such a cause
generated similar responses from other Social
Organizations. Attappadi Hills Area Development
Society has now offered a building for rendering
similar services in that Tribal Area.
The Launching Ceremony of Trichur Office has
received generous attention from socially
motivated individuals and Institutions. Federal
Bank was good enough to offer a Photo Copier for
the use in NORKA-NISA Office. The Chairman of
the Federal Bank Mr.Padma Kumar is present here
to hand over the documents relating to the gift
of a useful implement for the service of
NORKA-NISA. We expect similar generous gestures
from other similar individuals and Institutions.
One of the Projects envisioned now is the
Training to be imparted to the emigrants, in
lines similar to the arrangements which exists
in countries like Philippines, Ceylon and Nepal
which are found to give substantial security to
the emigrants and their families.
Imparting training in various specialties will
have a greater impact in the recruitment
processes, quantitatively and qualitatively. Any
foreign employer who desire to have a skilled
worker, whether he be a Welder, Plumber or
Driver, or a Nurse in a Hospital or a House Maid
employed domestically. A better skilled person
can earn substantially higher amounts which
benefit not only the person concerned, but also
the Nation itself.
Due to certain Administrative dislocations, the
pace of the working of the Department had been
slowed for a brief while. The new Administrative
set up of ROOTS with me as Chairman has now come
in and settled.
In the future working of the Department and the
NORKA-NISA perations, I seek the full
cooperation of the Media.
M.M.HASSAN , M.L.A, Chairman Roots
Justice K.Sukumaran, Chairman Niyama Sameeksha
Mr.Padma Kumar, Chairman, Federal Bank
Adv. D.B.Binu, Editor Niyama Sameeksha.
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