Kerala government is all set to revolutionize the emigration process for its youth with a pioneering scheme named ‘Shubhayatra.’ This visionary project aims to create a conducive migration ecosystem by providing financial support to first-time overseas emigrants from Kerala. With a comprehensive package that includes financial assistance, tax holidays, and interest subvention, ‘Shubhayatra’ is designed to empower eligible candidates and open doors of opportunities for higher education and employment abroad.
Norka Shubhayatra: Empowering Youth for Employment Abroad
Under the ‘Shubhayatra’ scheme, the Norka (Non-Resident Keralites Affairs) Roots will offer loans to eligible youth to facilitate overseas employment. This financial assistance will provide the necessary support to aspiring emigrants to pursue job opportunities in foreign countries.
Empowering Higher Education Graduates
One of the primary focuses of the ‘Shubhayatra’ scheme is to assist young graduates from Kerala who aspire to work abroad after completing their higher education. By extending financial aid to these graduates, the project aims to enable them to explore and secure suitable employment opportunities in foreign lands.
The Boon for Healthcare Professionals
The healthcare sector has been a backbone of Kerala’s emigration landscape, with numerous nurses, doctors, and paramedical staff seeking better prospects overseas. Recognizing this, the ‘Shubhayatra’ scheme offers tailored support to healthcare professionals, making it easier for them to fulfill their dreams of working abroad.
Soft Loans for Incidental Expenses
The emigration process incurs several expenses that can be daunting for individuals from low-income families. To alleviate these financial burdens, the ‘Shubhayatra’ scheme provides soft loans for expenses such as service charges for recruiting companies, visa stamping charges, medical examination fees, attestation charges, airline tickets, vaccines, and RTPCR tests.
Tax Holiday and Interest Subvention
The ‘Shubhayatra’ scheme includes a unique benefit in the form of a tax holiday for six months for eligible candidates. This tax relief is aimed at reducing the initial financial burden on individuals who embark on their overseas employment journey. Additionally, the scheme offers interest subvention to further ease the financial strain on prospective emigrants.
Two-Tier Soft Loan Schemes
To cater to the diverse needs of aspiring emigrants, the ‘Shubhayatra’ scheme offers two-tier soft loan schemes. The first scheme is the ‘Foreign Employability Skilling Assistance,’ which provides financial support to candidates to enhance their employability skills required in foreign job markets. The second scheme offers soft loans to prospective expatriates, assisting them in covering the preparatory costs associated with labor migration.
Fostering a Positive Migration Ecosystem
The ‘Shubhayatra’ project goes beyond financial aid; it envisions creating a positive and productive migration ecosystem for the youth of Kerala. By empowering them with the right resources and support, the scheme aims to make the emigration process smoother and more successful.
