‘Pravasi’ welfare pension will be credited to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries before Onam, Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s office said.
The Keralam government has authorised the release of ₹32 crore for the payment of welfare pensions to non-resident Keralites.
The ‘pravasi’ welfare pension had been in arrears for some months. The pension will be credited to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries before Onam, Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan’s office said.
The United Democratic Front (UDF) government said the arrears had piled up on account of the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government diverting the pension funds under the Kerala Non-Resident Keralites’ Welfare Fund Board for other purposes.
The ‘Pravasi’ pension is paid at the rate of ₹3,500 for Keralites who are abroad, and ₹3,000 to individuals who are working in other States or have returned. In May 2026, the Kerala Non-Resident Keralites’ Welfare Fund Board had around 9.5 lakh members and 94,666 pensioners, according to figures presented by the Chief Minister in the Assembly in June 2026.
Beneficiaries between the ages of 18 and 55 who have remitted their contribution on a regular basis are eligible for this pension. They start receiving the monthly payments after they turn 60. Those who gain the membership between the ages of 55 and 60 start receiving it on payment of their contribution for five years.
Mr. Satheesan’s office said on Sunday (August 23, 2026) that the amount was sanctioned keeping in mind the government’s commitment to the expatriate Keralite population.
Published – August 23, 2026 06:44 pm IST
