News Desk: The Kerala government has decided to disband the Loka Kerala Sabha (LKS), a platform created to connect expatriates from the state with the government, Chief Minister V D Satheesan said on Thursday. The decision has triggered a political dispute, with the opposition Left Democratic Front (LDF) accusing the government of neglecting the interests of Malayali expatriates.
Satheesan said the platform had failed to achieve its intended objectives, as many of its recommendations were not being implemented. The United Democratic Front (UDF), he added, had opposed the initiative from the beginning and now intends to introduce a stronger and more effective mechanism to address the concerns of people living abroad.
The issue was raised in the state Assembly through an adjournment notice moved by CPI MLA K K Valsaraj. Apart from the dissolution of the LKS, the opposition sought a discussion on rising insurance premiums for expatriates and their families, delays in pension payments and high airfares on routes connecting the Gulf region with Kerala.
Explaining the financial difficulties faced by the Pravasi Welfare Board, Satheesan said contributions to its fund were nearly ₹700 crore short of the required amount. The board currently spends around ₹35 crore every month on pensions but receives only about ₹16 crore through contributions.
According to the chief minister, the government paid ₹32 crore to cover a three-month pension shortfall. However, pension arrears for another three months remain outstanding. The board disbursed ₹163 crore in benefits during 2026-27, including ₹102 crore towards pensions, he said.
Satheesan also defended the increase in insurance premiums under the NORKA Care schemes, arguing that the earlier structure had covered pre-existing medical conditions, resulting in claims exceeding the amount collected. The scheme collected ₹145 crore in premiums, while claims reached approximately ₹210 crore. He said insurers had been unwilling to offer coverage at the previous rates, leaving the government with limited options.
On airfares, the chief minister said successive state governments had urged the Centre to regulate airline pricing. He also assured the Assembly that rules would be amended to help expatriates restore their welfare board membership after missing contributions for three or four months.
Opposition leader Pinarayi Vijayan criticised the decision to disband the LKS without announcing an alternative platform. Calling the move unfair to expatriates, he demanded the withdrawal of higher insurance premiums and accused the government of reducing the budget allocation for NORKA to ₹112 crore from ₹154 crore proposed under the previous administration.
The Speaker rejected the adjournment notice, prompting the opposition to stage a walkout. The controversy has intensified debate over the state's responsibility towards expatriates, whose contributions remain significant to Kerala's economy.
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