• September 21, 2026

Loka Kerala Sabha to be discontinued; No funds allocated for sixth edition

Loka Kerala Sabha to be discontinued; No funds allocated for sixth edition

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM Sept 21: Kerala Chief Minister’s Office has clarified that the UDF government’s political decision is not to continue the Loka Kerala Sabha in the manner it was conducted during the previous LDF government.

In a press release, the Chief Minister’s Office said there has been no change in this decision and that the government is not considering organising the sixth edition of the Loka Kerala Sabha in its earlier format. It also clarified that not a single rupee has been allocated specifically for the sixth edition.

The Loka Kerala Sabha Secretariat continues to function, with funds allocated only for its administrative expenses and programmes conducted through NORKA, including the NORKA Professional Business Leadership Meet.

The government has allocated Rs 2 crore for activities related to the Loka Kerala Sabha during the current financial year. Of this, Rs 50 lakh has been earmarked for the NORKA Professional Business Leadership Meet and another Rs 50 lakh for the Loka Kerala Sabha Secretariat. The allocation was sanctioned following the recommendation of a departmental working group that met on August 22.

The Chief Minister’s Office said these funds are intended for administrative activities and preliminary work related to implementing government directions, rather than for conducting the sixth edition of the Loka Kerala Sabha.

It also said that the welfare of expatriate Keralites remains a priority for the government. The government is considering an alternative project aimed at Kerala’s development with the participation of the diaspora, the office added.

The clarification comes amid discussions over the government’s allocation for Loka Kerala Sabha-related activities, with questions being raised about whether the UDF government had reconsidered its earlier decision not to continue the platform.

What is Loka Kerala Sabha?
The Loka Kerala Sabha (World Kerala Assembly) is a platform established by the Kerala government to bring together Malayalis living in India and abroad.

Its objectives include:
Providing the Malayali diaspora with a platform to raise their views and concerns.
Utilising the knowledge, skills and experience of expatriate Keralites for Kerala’s development.
Promoting cooperation between Kerala and its diaspora communities.
Discussing issues concerning Non-Resident Keralites (NRKs).

The initiative functions under the Department of Non-Resident Keralites Affairs (NORKA). The first Loka Kerala Sabha was held in Thiruvananthapuram in 2018 and was inaugurated by former Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan.