Question : LACK OF PROMPT ACTION BY INDIAN EMBASSIES ABROAD

(a) whether in the event of accident/untimely death of Indian workers working in various countries particularly in the gulf countries, the Indian Embassies situated in those countries are not taking prompt action to send back their dead bodies to India;

(b) if so, the reasons therefore;

(c) whether the Indian Embassies get appropriate support from the local administrations of the concerned countries in this regard;

(d) if so, the details thereof;

(e) if not, the reasons therefore; and

(f) the efforts made by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)

(a) As per information received from the Indian Missions abroad including the Gulf countries like Kuwait, Qatar, Oman, Yemen and Saudi Arabia, the Missions take prompt action in sending dead bodies of Indian nationals after completion of all required local formalities. However, in case of

(i) Oman, the process takes a few days time to complete and in most of the cases, the dead body is sent to India within a week or ten days.

(ii) Saudi Arabia, there is delay in despatch of mortal remains of the deceased Indian nationals to India in some cases, varying from 4-6 weeks in cases of natural death and 16 weeks, or even more, if the death occurs due to unnatural reason, like road traffic accident, industrial mishap and murder.

(b) The main reasons for the delay is the time taken in completion of necessary formalities by the Saudi sponsors, non-completion of investigations, non-receipt of police and medical formalities, non-receipt of required documents from India etc.

(c) to (e): The local Governments have been cooperative and render all possible prompt assistance in completion of mandatory local formalities.

(f) The Missions in Saudi Arabia always pursue the matter with the sponsors and the concerned Saudi authorities at the highest levels for reduction of such delays by simplifying the procedures. This Ministry monitor it for faster despatch of dead bodies by keeping in touch with the Indian Missions abroad.