Thiruvananthapuram: Chief minister V D Satheesan on Thursday defended the steep hike in Norka Care health insurance premiums, saying insurance claims had far exceeded the amount collected under the scheme, leaving insurers unwilling to renew their policies on the existing terms.Replying to an adjournment motion in the assembly on the problems faced by expatriate Keralites, Satheesan said Norka Care had collected Rs 145 crore but claims had reached Rs 210 crore. The scheme had enrolled 1.32 lakh people, and around 80% of claims were related to serious illnesses, including cancer. Claims involving people aged between 40 and 70 alone accounted for Rs 120 crore, he said.The insurance companies had incurred losses of 160% under Norka Care and 350% under Norka Care Plus, the CM said. He said the scheme had a structural flaw because it covered people with pre-existing illnesses, resulting in high claims. Insurers were now unwilling to submit quotations for renewing the policies, forcing govt to increase premiums, Satheesan said.He said the revised scheme would provide insurance cover to people aged between 18 and 110, while the existing policy did not cover those above 60. Govt had introduced different coverage slabs as part of the revised arrangement.On pending benefits under the pravasi welfare fund, Satheesan said govt had provided more than Rs 163 crore towards benefits during the current financial year and Rs 102 crore towards pensions. Govt had also released Rs 32 crore in the past five months to help the welfare board meet its commitments.Three months of pensions remained pending, with the amount due estimated at around Rs 105 crore, he said. Govt would take steps to clear the arrears.The CM said the number of welfare fund members had increased from 17,771 in 2020-21 to 1,00,495, while the board’s revenue had not risen proportionately. Its average monthly income was around Rs 16.7 crore against expenditure of nearly Rs 35 crore.More than Rs 700 crore in contributions remained to be collected, he said, urging expatriate organisations to launch a campaign to recover the arrears. Govt would also consider allowing members whose contributions had lapsed for genuine reasons to clear their dues and continue in the scheme, subject to necessary amendments to the law.On the dissolution of the Loka Kerala Sabha, Satheesan said the initiative had failed to serve its purpose and that govt was examining an alternative mechanism to address expatriates’ concerns and encourage investment in Keralam. He said the aim was to move beyond a remittance-based economy towards one driven by investment.He also said the state had repeatedly urged the Centre to regulate airline fares, describing the cost of air travel as a major burden on expatriates. Govt had raised the issue with the Union civil aviation minister and Prime Minister, he said. The opposition staged a walkout after the speaker declined to allow a discussion on the adjournment motion.