Question : Indian Community Welfare Fund

(a) the details of the amount collected from Pravasis through Indian Embassies as Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) for the last three years, country-wise;

(b) the purposes for which the money received through ICWF has been spent in different countries;

(c) the details of the works carried out and funds spent under the ICWF during the last three years, country-wise;

(d) the number of Indian citizens brought back during the Russia-Ukraine war, State-wise; and

(e) the number of aeroplanes used and amount spent by the Government to bring back its citizens from the war-torn area of Ukraine?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) & (c) The information related to collection of ICWF and expenditure country -wise details may please be seen at Annexure-A.

(b) The money received through ICWF has been spent in different countries for the following purposes:

(i) Boarding & lodging,
(ii) Air Passage to India,
(iii) Legal assistance,
(iv) Transportation of mortal remains,

(v) Payment for small fines and penalties in respect of Indian nationals for minor offences/crimes, and emergency medical care,

(vi) Community welfare activities and improvement in Consular services including provisions for setting-up of panel of lawyers in GCC and other countries with sizable Indian national population, assistance to distressed Indian women abroad are also covered under ICWF.

(d) The State- wise details may please be seen at Annexure B.

(e) Under Operation Ganga, 90 flights, out of which 76 were commercial flights and 14 Indian Air Force (IAF) flights, were operated at Government of India cost. The Government has paid Rs.92,95,96,211 to the private airlines for arranging commercial flights.

*****