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Santhwana- a flagship distress relief scheme intended to provide time bound financial support to returned emigrant. The scheme can be availed for medical treatments, death assistance, marriage assistance, purchase of physical aids to combat disability etc. The NRK who applies for the Santhwana scheme should have worked abroad for not less than two years. The annual family income of the applicant should not exceed one lakh rupees. A returnee can apply to meet serious medical treatment expenses such as cancer, heart surgery, chronic/serious kidney disease, brain hemorrhage, paralysis, severe disabilities due to various accidents, Death Compensation, Marriage assistance, to buy any aids to overcome the physical disability such as artificial limbs, wheel chairs, crutches etc.

This program offers several forms of financial aid:

1. Death Financial Assistance: Dependents of deceased expatriates can receive up to Rs. 1 lakh in financial support.
2. Medical Aid: Returning expatriates with various illnesses are eligible for up to Rs. 50,000 in medical assistance.
3. Marriage Assistance: Economically disadvantaged expatriates can access up to Rs. 15,000 in financial aid for their daughters' weddings.
4. Physically Handicapped Devices Assistance: Non-resident Keralites and their dependents are eligible for financial support of up to Rs. 10,000 for purchasing items such as crutches or wheelchairs.

To qualify for these benefits, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. Merit: The applicant's annual family income should not exceed one and a half lakh rupees.
2. Non-Resident Status: Applicants should have non-resident status for a minimum of two years.
3. Timeframe: The application must be submitted within the period of work abroad since returning or within ten years, whichever is less.
4. Location: Applicants should not be residing abroad at the time of application submission and receipt of financial assistance.

Applications can be submitted through the official Norka-Roots website at www.norkaroots.org.

Medical Assistance:

1. Passport
2. Ration Card
3. Income Certificate
4. Medical Certificate
5. Medical bills
6. Copy of Aadhaar of the applicant
7. Relationship Certificate (if the financial assistance is for the dependents of an expatriate)
8. Copy of Bank Passbook

Death Assistance:

1. Passport
2. Ration Card
3. Income Certificate
4. Death Certificate
5. Copy of Applicant's Identity Card/Aadhaar
6. Relationship Certificate
7. Non-remarriage Certificate ((if required during investigation)
8. Inheritance Certificate (if required during investigation)
9. Copy of Bank Passbook

Marriage Finance:

1. Passport
2. Ration Card
3. Income Certificate
4. Marriage Certificate
5. Certificate proving the relationship with a non-resident (Relationship Certificate obtained from Village Office)
6. Copy of the applicant's Aadhaar
7. Copy of Bank Passbook

Differential Instrument:

1. Passport
2. Ration Card
3. Income Certificate
4. Medical Board's Certificate proving Disability
5. Copy of the applicant's Aadhaar
6. Copy of Bank Passbook

Note-1. Additionally, be prepared to provide any additional documents that may be requested during the application process by the inquiry officer or the organization handling the applications. It's important to follow the specific guidelines and requirements provided by the program or agency to ensure a smooth application process.

Note-2. The Santhwana Financial Assistance Scheme focuses on providing financial support to economically disadvantaged individuals among the returned expatriates. This assistance is granted by the government based on a thorough evaluation of the applicants' documents and a direct enquiry into their financial circumstances. Applications that fail to meet the eligibility criteria are screened out and rejected during the initial submission stage and also at the government level, ensuring that the financial aid is directed to those who genuinely require it.