Expatriates from the south Indian state of Kerala have been assured of full monetary help by their government.

“We will meet all the expenses of those who are forced to return to Kerala from Saudi Arabia after Nov. 4,” said Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on Wednesday.

Chairing a meeting of the Cabinet in Thiruvananthapuram, the state capital, Chandy said: “We have asked the federal government to chip in. Even if they do not come to our help, we will meet all the expenses."

He said fears of a mass exodus, as reported in some sections of the Indian media earlier this year, had been proven baseless.

“The exact numbers (of those who will leave Saudi Arabia) would be known only in the coming days. The next Cabinet meeting would also take up a rehabilitation scheme for returnees,” said Chandy.