Ibrahim Elettil, DKMCC President, said on Saturday that the Centre would be introducing a security and welfare scheme for its members for the provision of financial assistance in cases of death, accident and disability, as well as treatment costs.
According to the scheme, Rs400,000 would be given to the family of a member in case of death, Rs100,000 in case of disability and Rs25,000 for medical treatment.
The 'most deserving members' of the Centre who are returning home for good would also be given Rs25,000.
The scheme — which comes into effect from January 1, 2005 — aims to raise funds by collecting from the members Dh50 as prime membership fee, Dh10 for death case, Dh5 for disability case and Dh2 for medical treatment.
The financial assistance for members returning to India will not be raised through collection from members, Mr Elettil said. A three-month membership campaign, from October 1 to December 31, 2004, will precede the launch of the financial assistance scheme, he added.
According to Mr Elettil, the identity card issued to the members can also be used as a discount card for select establishments, including hospitals in the UAE as well as in India. It is estimated that each member can save up to Dh200 annually by using the card, which also helps get concessions ranging between Rs5,000 to Rs10,000 for medical treatment in India.
The Centre will take the initiative to organise various business ventures in the UAE and in India to provide employment and permanent income to its members. The funds for this initiative will be raised through shares of small value, for the Centre's members who can benefit by sharing the profits.
The Centre's relief wing installed at the Calicut Medical Centre in Kerala will provide all possible assistance to needy inpatients by providing medicines, food, blood and lab tests, Mr Elettil said, adding that for the purpose, the Centre collects contributions from its members in the UAE and send Rs100,000 every month.
Apart from relief works and financial assistance to the underprivileged, the Centre has also announced several initiatives such as education for the poor, including courses for computers and other subjects; visits to labour camps, jails and hospitals; public awareness and cultural programmes; and assistance to the underprivileged for taking dead body of a family member back home or for arranging for its last rites here in the UAE.
Mr Kareem NA, General Secretary, Hussainar Haji, Treasurer, and Hussain Cheruthurathy, Organisation Secretary, also addressed the Press conference.