bg_image

Pravasi Bhadratha

image

 

Covid 19 pandemic and the subsequent lock down, suspension of flights and other restrictions imposed by various countries across the globe had seriously affected the employment of the NRKs leaving them jobless and stuck in the state. This has created a serious impact in the State since we share the largest diaspora community in the country. Due to the uncertainty prevailing across the globe, a sustainable livelihood for the return emigrants need to be extended to reintegrate them back to the society. Norka Department is to formulate a rehabilitation package – Co-ordinated Re-integration Programme for NRKs to provide financial support for developing income generation opportunities for the returnees.
 

Objective
 

To provide sustainable livelihood opportunities to NRK return community through self-employment ventures.

  • It is estimated that around 14 lakh NRKs have returned to their home state during the pandemic period and following are the rehabilitation proposals envisaged under the scheme.
  • Nano entrerprise scheme through Kudumbasree Mission.
  • Micro enterprise assistance Scheme through co-opertaive sector banks and other financial institutions including nationalised banks/ scheduled banks
  •  Interest subvention for MSME (NRK enterprises) through KSIDC.
     

Two major schemes under this rehabilitation Programme:


a)    Pravasi Bhadratha - PEARL

Pravasi Bhadratha – PEARL is envisaged to address the weaker/ low profile category of NRK returnees with less savings and income. It has been proposed to implement the scheme through Kudumbashree Mission to address the targeted group with a sustainable livelihood.
 

Features of the Scheme:

  • Revolving Fund for Individual/ group livelihood activities
  • Assistance to Micro Enterprises/ Livelihood Activity Groups through community lend soft loans
  • Interest free loans upto Rs. 2 Lakh.
  • Repayment with equal installments within two years.


Beneficiaries:

  • Applicants are to be returned emigrants due to job loss or stuck in the state due to Covid 19 Pandemic
  • Applicants are to be either member of Kudumabshree NHG or any organization formed under the aegis of Kudumbashree.
  • Applicants are to be Return Emigrants who have completed atleast two years of employment abroad


Financial Assistance:
 

Financial assistance upto 75% of the project cost or Rs. 2 Lac whichever is lesser will be sanctioned as soft loan. Loan is to be repaid within 2 years (24 months) after the repayment holiday of 3 months. Upfront margin upto 25% should be brought in by applicant.
 

Instructions:
 

Application forms are to be obtained from District Missions and are to be submitted with following supporting documents.

  1. First Page and last page of passport
  2. Visa page
  3. Project report
  4. Ration card copy
  5. Document proving membership in Kudumbasree Unit (Either of applicant or family member)
  6. Aadhaar card copy

Other details:
 

b) Pravasi Bhadratha – MEGA
 

Pravasi Bhadratha - MEGA through KSIDC is envisaged to provide loans in the range of Rs. 25 lakhs to Rs. 2 crores per enterprise. KSIDC provides loans @ interest 8.25% to 8.75% and NORKA-ROOTS will provide interest incentives upto 3.25% to 3.75% for the first 4 years . It is extended to NRK returnees/NRK Investors from other States in India.
 

a. KSIDC shall be the implementing agency and NORKA-ROOTS will meet the interest subsidy of the loans under the scheme and NORKA Department in Government will be the controller of the scheme.
 

b. Applications for Loans will be processed through the KSIDC (Contact KSIDC for application form) and on disbursement of loans KSIDC will forward proposal with due recommendation to NORKA-ROOTS for disbursement of interest incentives
 

c. Amount will be disbursed on every quarter on prompt repayment of loans as per the claims raised by KSIDC from time to time.
 

Pravasi Bhadratha – MEGA (Malayalam- PDF)
 

Enquiry:

Tel: 1800 890 1030
Email: pravasinorkaprojects@gmail.com
 

c) Pravasi Bhadratha - MICRO
 

(NORKA - KSFE - MICRO ENTERPRISES ASSISTANCE SCHEME)
 

This scheme is envisaged for assisting returned NRKs in setting up Micro and small scale industries. The scheme is proposed to be implemented through through KSFE (Kerala State Financial Enterprises). Following are the features of the scheme.
 

  • Loans upto Rs. 5 lakhs
  • Capital subsidy @ Rs. 25% of the loan component upto a maximum of Rs. 1 lakh
  •  Interest subvention for initial 4 years @ 3%

 

For further queries:

 

Apply Now
* What is the Pravasi Bhadratha Scheme?
Pravasi Bhadratha is a rehabilitation package initiated by the Norka Department to extend financial support and sustainable livelihood opportunities to Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs) who have returned to Kerala after losing their employment abroad, especially during the pandemic period.
* What are the key objectives of the scheme?
The primary objective is to offer sustainable livelihood opportunities to NRK returnees who lost their overseas employment during the COVID period. The aim is to facilitate self-employment ventures for them and reintegrate them back into society.
* Who can apply for the scheme?
NRK returnees who have worked abroad for at least two years and have returned to Kerala during the pandemic period can apply for the scheme.
* What are the benefits of these schemes for NRK returnees?
NRK returnees can access financial support in the form of revolving funds, capital subsidies, and interest subventions, enabling them to initiate or expand their entrepreneurial endeavors in Kerala.
* How are the credit limits determined for each scheme?
The credit limits are set based on the scale of the enterprise or livelihood activity. PEARL supports smaller ventures with a credit limit of up to Rs. 2 lakhs, while MICRO extends to larger endeavors with a credit limit of up to Rs. 5 lakhs. MEGA is designed for more significant enterprises with a credit limit of up to Rs. 2 crores.
* Through which financial institutions are loans available?
Loans are available through Kudumbasree Mission, KSFE/Kerala Bank, and KSIDC.
* What are the components of the scheme?
The scheme consists of three components: Pravasi Bhadratha- PEARL (Nano Enterprise scheme), Pravasi Bhadratha- MICRO, Pravasi Bhadratha- MEGA
* How to Apply for Pravasi Bhadratha Scheme?
Interested applicants can apply through financial institutions associated with this scheme Kudumbasree Mission, KSFE/ Kerala Bank and KSIDC.
* What are the documents required for registration?
The documents required may include proof of NRK status, KYC Documents, proof of employment abroad, and other specific documents based on the scheme's guidelines of partnering agencies.
* What are the procedures to get the recommendation letter from Norka Roots?
a. Pravasi Bhadratha – Pearl – Obtain recommendation letter from Regional Offices/ District NORKA Cells of NORKA-ROOTS on submission of written request along with passport/visa copy b. Pravasi Bhadratha – Micro – Submit application form along with passport/visa copy to KSFE/Kerala Bank branches. KSFE/Kerala Bank will redirect the application to NORKA-ROOTS and recommendation letters will be served to concerned KSFE/Kerala Bank branches. c. Pavasi Bhadratha – Mega - Obtain recommendation letter from Regional Offices/ District NORKA Cells of NORKA-ROOTS on submission of written request along with passport/visa copy
* What is Pravasi Bhadratha- PEARL?
Pravasi Bhadratha- PEARL is the Nano Enterprise scheme aimed to support nano enterprises among NRK returnees. It provides interest-free loans up to Rs. 2 lakh for individual or group livelihood activities.
* How can I apply for assistance under the Pravasi Bhadratha- PEARL scheme?
Applicants can register their units with Kudumbasree Mission for evaluation. The registration is for the purpose of selection, and applicants will undergo EDP/Skill training and Entrepreneur support as needed.
* Who is eligible to apply for the Pravasi Bhadratha - PEARL scheme?
Applicants must be returned emigrants due to job loss or being stuck in the state due to the Covid-19 pandemic. They should be either members of Kudumbashree NHG or any organization formed under Kudumbashree and have completed at least two years of employment abroad.
* What financial assistance is available under Pravasi Bhadratha - PEARL?
Eligible applicants can receive financial assistance up to 75% of the project cost or Rs. 2 lakhs (whichever is lesser) as a soft loan, to be repaid within 2 years with a repayment holiday of 3 months.
* Where can I obtain the application forms for Pravasi Bhadratha - PEARL?
Application forms can be obtained from District Missions. They must be submitted along with supporting documents such as passport pages, visa page, project report, ration card copy, Kudumbashree membership proof, and Aadhaar card copy.
* What is Pravasi Bhadratha- MICRO?
Pravasi Bhadratha- MICRO provides a capital subsidy of 25% of the loan component, up to a maximum of Rs. 1 lakh. It also includes an interest subvention at 3% for loans disbursed in association with cooperative sector banks and other financial institutions like KSFE/Kerala Bank. The credit limit is up to Rs. 5 lakhs.
* How can one apply for Pravasi BHadratha – MICRO?
NRK returnees can reach out to Regional branches of KSFE & Kerala Bank. They can inquire about eligibility criteria, application procedures, and necessary documentation.
* What are the conditions for receiving the subsidy?
The capital subsidy will be credited to the beneficiary's account as soon as the concerned financial institution certifies that the venture has been operating continuously for 3 years and 3% interest subsidy will be available for the first four years to the beneficiaries who repay the loan without default. Interest subsidy may be claimed for quarterly / half yearly
* What is Pravasi Bhadratha- MEGA?
Pravasi Bhadratha- MEGA focuses on providing interest incentives for loans disbursed under the scheme. Pravasi Bhadratha - MEGA offers loans ranging from Rs. 25 lakhs to Rs. 2 crores per enterprise, facilitated through KSIDC.
* How is the interest subvention for Pravasi Bhadratha-MEGA through KSIDC implemented?
KSIDC provides loans, and NORKA-ROOTS provides Interest incentives up to 3.75% for the first 4 years
* How can one apply for Pravasi Bhadratha - MEGA?
Applications for loans are processed through KSIDC. Contact KSIDC for the application form. KSIDC forwards loan proposals with recommendations to NORKA-ROOTS for disbursement of interest incentives upon loan disbursement.
* How will the schemes be monitored for effective utilization of funds?
Monitoring will be carried out by the respective implementing agencies, NORKA-ROOTS and the NORKA Department in the Government to ensure proper utilization of funds and adherence to scheme guidelines.
* Through which financial institutions are the loans available?
Loans are available through cooperative sector banks, KSFE/Kerala Bank, KSIDC, and other specified financial institutions associated with the PRAVASI BHADRATHA Scheme.
* What are the services available to the beneficiary?
Beneficiaries can access financial support in the form of loans, capital subsidies, interest subventions, entrepreneurial development programs, skill training, and other support services to establish or enhance their livelihood activities.
* What are the features of the project?
The project offers three key components - PEARL, MICRO, and MEGA, catering to different scales of enterprises or livelihood activities, each with its credit limits, interest rates, and specific subsidy structures.
* Which projects are eligible for a loan?
Loans will be available for projects related with Agriculture, Industry, Commerce, Manufacturing, Services and other IT related sectors. A clear understanding of the proposed venture is also essential for the investor.

Join Our Mailing List

For receiving our news and updates in your inbox directly.

Chat Icon