Kerala’s Chief Minister, Pinarayi Vijayan, has reiterated the state government’s deep commitment to the welfare of its expatriate community, acknowledging their invaluable contributions to Kerala’s progress and development.
His statement came during the official launch of ‘NoRKA Care,’ a pioneering and comprehensive health and accident insurance scheme specifically designed to protect the Malayali diaspora.
Highlighting the government’s consistent support for expatriates throughout their lives, Mr. Vijayan noted a significant expansion in welfare initiatives. Before 2016, there were just 13 such programs; today, that number has grown to 20. Financial allocations have seen a similar surge, with funds increasing from approximately ₹25 crore in previous years to ₹150 crore in the current financial year.
The Chief Minister emphasized that a government-backed insurance scheme had been a long-standing request from the expatriate community, a demand also voiced at the Loka Kerala Sabha. The inauguration of NoRKA Care proudly fulfills this crucial need.
Mr. Vijayan proudly declared that this marks the first instance in India where a state has implemented such an extensive insurance program for its expatriate citizens. Beneficiaries will have access to cashless treatment at over 500 hospitals across Kerala and more than 16,000 hospitals nationwide.
Looking ahead, the Chief Minister expressed the government’s intention to potentially expand the scheme’s reach to include hospitals in international locations, particularly within Gulf Cooperation Council countries. This ambitious program is anticipated to initially benefit around four million expatriates.
NoRKA Care, a collaborative effort with The New India Assurance, offers robust health insurance coverage of ₹5 lakh and an accident cover of up to ₹10 lakh. The scheme is open to individuals aged 18 to 70. For a family of four, including two children, the premium is set at ₹13,411. The program is slated to commence on November 1.
Finance Minister K.N. Balagopal presided over the inaugural ceremony, which was also attended by Girija Subramanian, Chairman and Managing Director of New India Assurance.