Students returned from Ukraine must be allowed to continue their studies in Kerala : Oommen Chandy

Thiruvananthapuram : Ex-chief minister Oommen Chandy requested his successor, Pinarayi Vijayan, on Friday to ensure all students who have returned from Ukraine may resume their studies.

Vijayan says there are close to 3,000 Kerala students in Ukraine, most of whom are studying medicine.

"In Karnataka, the universities have agreed to accommodate students coming from Ukraine and that's a model that the Kerala government can replicate," added Chandy.

Chandy asked what the government could do to assist students who have taken out large amounts of student loans.

"Since the state government alone might not be able to do anything, the help of the Central government should be sought. And for that if there is a need, an all-party delegation from the state should meet and urge the Prime Minister to write-off the educational loans," Chandy said.

In a related development, Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal announced that the government will provide necessary assistance to those who have lost certificates and other valuable documents during the first budget of the CPI(M) government.

A database of Malayalee students studying abroad will be prepared by the non-resident Kerala affairs department, along with the Rs 10 crore allocation to these students