Thaindian News

Thiruvananthapuram, July 13 (IANS) Kerala Chief Minister V.S. Achuthanandan Tuesday said the state industrial development corporation is undertaking a feasibility study for the proposed Rs.750-crore heritage village for the diaspora.
“We have already identified 337 acres in the outskirts of the capital city near Chiryankil. The district collector has been asked to find out the modus operandi of acquiring the land,” said Achuthanandan, who heads the department of non-resident Keralites affairs (NORKA).

In reply to a question by Communist Party of India-Marxist Member M.M. Monayi in the assembly, he said the proposed heritage village would include an international school, an old age home and residential villas.

“We have asked the NORKA to see that in their future meetings, this project should be showcased to the diaspora. The government and non-resident Keralites are putting in funds for the project. We will even approach the centre for investments,” said Achuthanandan.

There are more than two million Keralites settled across the globe, with 90 per cent of them living and working in the Middle-East.

Housing Minister Binoy Viswam in reply to another question by Communist Party of India legislator N. Anirudhan said the State Housing Board had come out with schemes for the diaspora.

“At Kozhikode plans are now ready to build flats for the diaspora,” said Viswam.