Kerala Leaders Unite in Assembly Against High Airfares for Non-Resident Keralites

Both the ruling UDF and the LDF Opposition in the Kerala Legislative Assembly slammed airlines on Thursday for sharply increasing ticket prices during festival seasons, especially on routes between Kerala and West Asia. Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan condemned the practice, noting that past and present state governments have repeatedly asked the Union government to set a limit on airfares. Mr. Satheesan stated that airlines continue to exploit non-resident Keralites despite letters sent to the Centre, discussions held by the Chief Secretary, and appeals made to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu by Kerala MPs and state leaders. Mr. Vijayan agreed with the Chief Minister, adding that ticket prices often jump to five times their normal cost or even higher during these periods.

Welfare Concerns

The discussion began when LDF members proposed an adjournment motion to talk about the denial of welfare benefits to non-resident Keralites and the dissolution of the Loka Kerala Sabha. The Opposition claimed that welfare funds through NORKA and the Kerala Pravasi Welfare Board, including pensions, had suffered setbacks. They also stated that higher insurance premiums under NORKA Care had hurt the community and that no proper alternative to the Loka Kerala Sabha has been set up yet. Chief Minister Satheesan replied that the government is clearing benefit payments that were pending for August, September, and October. He explained that the number of welfare beneficiaries grew fivefold from 17,771 in the 2020-21 period to 1,00,495 in 2026-27, while member contributions are behind by 200 crore rupees. He added that insurance premiums had to go up because the insurance company faced losses and hesitated to renew the policy. After the adjournment motion was denied, LDF members walked out of the Assembly in protest.

Context

Non-resident workers from Kerala play a major part in supporting families back home and sending remittances that help shape the state economy. Air travel remains the main transport link between Kerala and West Asian countries where many of these workers live, making fare spikes during peak holiday seasons a recurring public concern.