Kerala Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan on Thursday, 29 October 2026, defended the state government's decision to dissolve the Loka Kerala Sabha, telling the state Assembly that the forum had failed to fulfil its mandate and that a more effective replacement would be put in place. The announcement came in response to an adjournment motion seeking debate on delays in expatriate benefits and the scrapping of the diaspora body — a move that directly concerns the millions of Malayalis living and working abroad.

Why the Loka Kerala Sabha Was Scrapped

Launched in 2018 by the previous Left Democratic Front (LDF) government under Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Loka Kerala Sabha brought together elected representatives and nominated members of the global Malayali diaspora to deliberate on migration, welfare, investment and related issues facing non-resident Keralites (NRKs). However, the forum drew controversy throughout its existence. The Congress-led United Democratic Front (UDF) — now in power with Satheesan as Chief Minister — had boycotted its sessions during the LDF tenure, citing alleged extravagance and the failure to act on recommendations.

Satheesan, now on the other side of the aisle, told the Assembly that the forum 'had failed to serve its intended purpose' and that the state government was examining a genuinely workable alternative. Notably, the very body his party once opposed on grounds of inefficacy is now being replaced under his own watch — a pivot that opposition members are unlikely to let pass without scrutiny.

The Proposed Replacement: Global NORKA Coordination Council

The state government has proposed a Global NORKA Coordination Council to maintain more regular engagement with expatriates and their representative organisations. A committee headed by the Chief Minister himself is currently evaluating the appropriate institutional design for the new body.

'The state government is examining a new system to enable expatriates to raise their concerns, contribute to Kerala's development and channel their remittances into productive investments,' Satheesan said in the Assembly. The timeline for formalising the council has not yet been announced.

Pravasi Welfare Board's Deep Financial Strain

The Assembly debate also brought into sharp relief the fiscal difficulties confronting the Pravasi Welfare Board. Satheesan disclosed that board membership had grown sharply — from 17,771 in 2020–21 to 1,00,495 — but average monthly revenue has remained around ₹16.7 crore against monthly expenditure of nearly ₹35 crore, a structural deficit of over ₹18 crore per month.

The state government has already provided ₹32 crore towards pension payments over the past five months, yet pension arrears remain to be cleared. More than ₹700 crore in outstanding contributions is yet to be recovered, Satheesan said, urging expatriate organisations to assist in collecting the dues. He also noted that heavy claims under NORKA's insurance schemes had made policy renewal difficult, and that the insurance arrangement is being reworked.

Airfare Costs: A Separate Grievance

Beyond institutional reform and welfare finance, Satheesan flagged a concern that resonates deeply with ordinary migrant workers: the steep cost of flying home. The Chief Minister said the state had repeatedly urged the Centre to regulate high airfares on routes to Kerala, noting that the expense was 'exhausting the savings of ordinary migrant workers.' Airfare regulation, however, is a Union subject, limiting the state's direct leverage.

What Happens Next

The government has committed to introducing an alternative to the Loka Kerala Sabha while continuing to address expatriate welfare and investment needs. The committee examining the new mechanism has not indicated a deadline, and the financial gap at the Pravasi Welfare Board will require a credible revenue strategy — not just a structural reshuffle. For Kerala's vast diaspora, the critical question is whether the proposed Global NORKA Coordination Council will move from deliberation to delivery faster than its predecessor did.