Keralam's new age govt should not be so merciless towards pravasis
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Pravasis are people who have left for foreign countries, sacrificing many things dear to them, for the well-being of their families and homeland. It is the money they send home, earned through hard work and by putting their lives at risk in foreign countries amid ongoing conflicts, that keeps economic activities in our homeland running without major disruption, even during periods of recession. Beyond showering the Pravasi community with lavish praise and sweet words, neither the Central nor the state governments have ever given serious consideration to any substantial schemes that could ensure their security. The Centre's Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which celebrates wealthy and influential members of the Pravasi community, and the Kerala government's Lok Kerala Sabha, which it has organised for years, have both remained far removed from the concerns of ordinary Pravasis. The governments have shown little interest in even issuing a stern word to airlines that continue to exploit Pravasis through exorbitant airfares during holiday seasons and even through the charges imposed on transporting the bodies of deceased Pravasis back home. It was only with the introduction of pension and medical assistance schemes under the Kerala Pravasi Welfare Board, along with NORKA's health insurance scheme, that at least an impression was created that the government was doing something for Pravasis.
The NORKA Care Comprehensive Health Insurance Scheme, launched in 2025, was a blessing in the truest sense for Pravasis struggling with frequent illnesses, job losses and salary cuts in the aftermath of the Covid pandemic. A uniform premium at a reasonable rate was charged to all beneficiaries aged between 18 and 70. Rejecting policies offered by private insurance companies and placing their trust in the security of a government scheme, 1,32,000 people enrolled in it at the time. Their decision was not misplaced. The scheme became a lifeline for thousands of people, including those who had to return home due to illness. Those who could not enrol during the previous round had been eagerly waiting for an opportunity to register this year. However, joining the scheme this year has become unaffordable for ordinary Pravasis. Those who paid a premium of Rs 13,411 last time for family coverage will now have to pay between Rs 35,664 and Rs 77,773. This amount is equivalent to one or two months' salary for a Pravasi working for a meagre wage.
Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan, who handles the NORKA (Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs) portfolio, justifies the increase in premiums by citing the financial burden incurred in the previous year. In the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister said that while the scheme collected around Rs 145 crore in premiums, claims amounted to nearly Rs 210 crore, of which around 80 per cent were for the treatment of serious illnesses, including cancer. These figures themselves testify to how relevant and essential the health insurance scheme for Pravasis was. The majority of the beneficiaries are people who, after working in foreign countries while battling different climatic conditions and living circumstances, suffered a decline in health and were forced to return home after being diagnosed with cancer, kidney or heart diseases, or paralysis. Demanding exorbitant premiums from these people, whose regular salaries have ceased and sources of income have dried up, is tantamount to denying them medical treatment. It is unfortunate that, instead of taking steps to continue initiatives that provide relief to people facing illness and hardship, the government views such initiatives as liabilities and burdens. It is understandable when the Chief Minister says that there were structural flaws in the way the scheme was designed. These should be examined and corrected. However, shifting an excessive financial burden onto Pravasis by raising the premium is not the solution. A steep increase in premiums would mean that only those suffering from serious illnesses or requiring urgent medical treatment would be willing to pay such a huge amount to get insured in the scheme. This would cause the claims ratio to rise further and eventually lead to the complete collapse of the scheme. The state is governed by a government that came to power promising health insurance to the people of Kerala in the name of former Chief Minister Oommen Chandy. If the Pravasi health insurance scheme, which has provided relief to thousands, is allowed to falter, it could create a situation in which people lose faith in all welfare schemes introduced by the government.
Pravasis contribute nearly one-third of the state's GDP. A substantial share of the government's tax revenue is generated through consumption funded by this money. It is unjust to tell Pravasis, who sustain the state's economy, that they must bear the burden of their own medical treatment. Pravasis are a community that has been betrayed repeatedly by successive governments. The New Age Kerala government, too should not try to let them down.