The Minister of State (Independent charge) for Overseas Indian Affairs, Shri Jagdish Tytler told the Lok Sabha today that the NRIs, particularly NRIs from the Gulf, have made some demands to the Government.
These include better supervision over recruitment agencies, insurance for workers, admission of their wards in educational institutions, welfare & rehabilitation measures for workders returning to India, release of innocent victims from prisons abroad, voting rights and Budget airlines. However, Government is not aware of any demand to establish Special Courts for NRIs, he added.
The Minister further said that the action initiated on some of the above demands, comprise of the following :
i) Complaints against registered recruitment agencies are examined by the Protector General of Emigrants and action is taken to suspend/cancel their registration. In the case of unregistered agencies, complaints are filed with the State Police authorities. In the last two years, 27 registrations have been suspended and 4 cancelled. 64 complaints have been filed with the Police and 20 prosecutions sanctioned.
ii) A Pravasi Bhartiya Bima Yojana Scheme has been implemented w.e.f. 25 December, 2003. This scheme has since become more competitive and affordable to Gulf workers for whom it is primarily meant.
iii) 1/3 of the 15% supernumerary seats in educational institutions have been earmarked for children of NRIs in Gulf and South East Asia at fees applicable to resident Indians.
iv) The Government takes up the release of innocent victims from prisons whenever necessary.
v) The Government of Kerala has made a proposal to grant voting rights to NRIs by including them in the electoral rolls as a special category.
vi) Air India has announced the starting of their Budget airline `Air India Express’ from April 29, 2005.
vii) The Government of Kerala has devised several welfare schemes for the welfare of NRIs in the Gulf. The Government of India has been pursuing establishment of a welfare fund for Overseas Indian workers as well as Central Council for Promotion of Overseas Employment.
This information was given to the Lok Sabha by Shri Tytler in reply to a question by Shri Rayapati Sambasiva Rao.
AK/SK/JA