Kochi: The Kerala state government will set up a relief fund Sandwana to help non-resident Keralites (NRKs) returning home after injuries or accidents abroad.

Kerala Minister for Non-Resident Keralites'' Affairs M M Hassan says his government has already set apart Rs 25 lakh as corpus fund, akin to the Chief Minister''s Relief Fund.

Hassan says a qualifying examination will be held by the Kerala government for the Gulf NRKs, who face expulsion for the want of secondary school certificate, in six months'' time.

The Non-Resident Keralites'' Affairs Department is also planning to conduct a study to ascertain the job opportunities abroad with a view to equip the job-seekers in the state with the desired training.