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Politics
Kerala Ministers Face Criticism Over Chartered Flights for Diaspora Outreach
✍️ indiatoday.in
🗓 24 Sep 2026, 07:16 AM
👁 13
A controversy has erupted in Kerala over the use of chartered aircraft for ministers' foreign trips aimed at engaging the Malayali diaspora.
A dispute has arisen in Kerala after reports that state ministers used chartered flights for overseas trips intended to connect with the Malayali diaspora. Critics argue that the expense of such flights is hard to justify given the state's fiscal constraints, while officials maintain that the trips are essential for diaspora outreach and investment promotion.
Opposition parties have demanded a detailed audit of the travel expenditures and called for greater transparency in the decision‑making process. The government, however, has defended the practice, stating that direct engagement with Keralites abroad can yield long‑term economic and cultural benefits.
The row has sparked a broader debate on the appropriate use of public funds for international travel, with civil society groups urging the administration to explore more cost‑effective alternatives such as commercial flights or virtual meetings.
Opposition parties have demanded a detailed audit of the travel expenditures and called for greater transparency in the decision‑making process. The government, however, has defended the practice, stating that direct engagement with Keralites abroad can yield long‑term economic and cultural benefits.
The row has sparked a broader debate on the appropriate use of public funds for international travel, with civil society groups urging the administration to explore more cost‑effective alternatives such as commercial flights or virtual meetings.