Chandy seeks interest waiver for nurses

The Kerala government is in discussion with banks in an effort to waive interest on educational loans availed by nurses who have returned to the state from strife-torn regions of Iraq.

Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said the government had put forward recommendations to the banks that include possible waiver of interest on the loans and similar relief in payment of dues.

He was speaking at a meeting of hospital proprietors and representatives organised by the Non Resident Keralite Affairs (NORKA) Department on Thursday.

Representatives of Kerala-based hospitals at the meeting offered jobs for the nurses while representatives of hospitals in the UAE and Saudi Arabia also expressed willingness to employ them, an official statement said.