MoS V Muraleedharan interacted with the members of the Indian community organisations in the presence of Indian ambassadors/ embassy representatives of all the six GCC countries – United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arab, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait
India’s Union Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan discussed issues related to Indian Community in the GCC countries during a virtual meeting on Wednesday (October 6, 2021).
The minister interacted with the members of the Indian community organisations in the presence of the Indian ambassadors/ embassy representatives of all the six GCC countries – United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arab, Bahrain, Oman, Qatar and Kuwait.
The heads of Indian organisations raised the issues of air fare, vaccination, problems of Indian investors, social security to Indians coming to the Gulf countries, and even setting up consulate offices in areas located far from the capital cities.
Sathish Nambiar, President of Indian Social Club, Muscat, raised the issue of social security to Indians and asked for mechanism to implement Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojna in letter and spirit to help the Indian workers.
One of the community members also suggested adding some insurance money along with visa fees so that any expatriate getting into any critical situation can get some authentic support without waiting for mercy from any person or group.
“It is not always possible to arrange assistance, and in many situation, people suffer without any attention,” he said.
The Minister and embassy officials heard the community representatives patiently and assured all possible help in due course
A representative from Qatar raised the issue of air fare and asked for the government’s intervention to put a cap on fare so that workers returning to the Gulf countries have some financial relief.
The Qatar representative also requested the Indian Prime Minister’s visit to Qatar.
Rakesh Jha, President of Indian Social Club Salalah, drew the minister’s attention towards the vaccination of blue-collar workers. “Even though the Omani government extended vaccines for free to some, many Indian workers had to shell out from their pocket to get vaccinated,” he said.
He also called for assistance to Indian businessmen who suffered due to the Covid-19 pandemic and sought a reduction in certain fees/ registration money in Indian schools in the wake of the current situation. “CBSE exam fee for NRI student is 5 to 6 time higher than India,” he said.
The Minister and embassy officials heard the community representatives patiently and assured all possible help in due course.
