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Minister promises govt help to solve problems of NRIs
ABU DHABI - The perennial grievances of the Indian diaspora in the Gulf, reduction of air fares,
- PUBLISHED: Sat 6 May 2006, 10:57 AM UPDATED: Mon 26 Aug 2024, 3:06 PM
Streamlining of recruitment agents and busting of fake visa rackets, pension fund for Gulf NRIs etc, once again dominated the wish-list during an interactive session with the Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, Vayalar Ravi, at the Indian embassy on Thursday evening.
“None of these issues are new. I know you have been articulating them for quite a long time. It is a fact that solutions have not met the expectations of the Indian community,” admitted the minister while promising more assistance from the government to address these issues.
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Ravi was at the embassy to inaugurate the computerisation of consular services at the mission. The embassy has been computerised in view of the growing volume of consular work and to increase the efficiency and speed with which it can be handled.
The minister also distributed the Overseas Indian Citizenship cards to 16 Non-resident Indians in the presence of Chandra Mohan Bhandari, Indian ambassador to the UAE.
Responding to various community concerns expressed by members and representatives of different NRI associations, Ravi said: “The pension scheme for NRIs is very much in my mind and I have already submitted a report to the PM. The issue will soon be discussed in detail.”
“If I succeed in convincing him that every Non-resident Indian generates foreign exchange and should be given equal incentives and benefits like any employer who generates employment in the country, I can get a good amount for the fund,” he added.
Calling for close coordination between the community associations and the embassy in solving the problems faced by Indians in the UAE, the minister also affirmed the need to strengthen the legal help offered by the mission to those in need. “I am aware that the embassy is availing of all possible legal help for our people. But we need to institutionalise it.” Touching upon the increasing mental stress and suicidal tendencies among expatriate Indians, Ravi suggested it would be a good idea to have a doctors cell at the Indian mission to deal with such cases.