2 publishers · first seen Thu, 29 Oct 2026 07:24 UTC · updated Thu, 29 Oct 2026 08:52 UTC
Keralam Chief Minister V.D. Satheesan and Opposition Leader Pinarayi Vijayan on October 29, 2026, condemned the sharp increase in airfares on the Keralam-West Asia route during festival seasons, urging the Union government to cap prices. Both leaders agreed that non-resident Keralites (NRKs) are being exploited, with Satheesan stating that his government had written to the Centre and raised the issue with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu.
The issue arose during an adjournment motion in the Legislative Assembly over the disbanding of the Loka Kerala Sabha, delays in welfare benefits, and a hike in insurance premiums under the NORKA Care schemes. Satheesan cited a structural flaw in the insurance scheme and a rise in beneficiaries from 17,771 in 2020-21 to over 1,00,495 in 2026-27, leading to a financial shortfall. After the motion was rejected, the LDF staged a walkout, demanding the withdrawal of premium hikes and restoration of the LKS.
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