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QUESTION NO.3849 GULF RETURNEES

August 11, 2021

LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3849
TO BE ANSWERED ON 11.08.2021

GULF RETURNEES


3849. SHRI M.K. RAGHAVAN:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:-

(a) whether Government has any data on Gulf returnees since Covid 19 first wave in India;

(b) if so, the details regarding the same;

(c) whether Government has any plans schemes for repatriation of all those Indians in Gulf region who has lost their employment as a result of Covid 19 crisis;

(d) if so, the details regarding the same;

(e) whether the Government has any plans to include ex gratia aid for families of expats who died due to Covid 19; and

(f) if so, the details regarding the same?

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

(a) & (b) The country-wise number of arrivals from Gulf countries to India under Vande Bharat Mission from May 7, 2020 to April 30, 2021 is as follows:

S.No.

Countries

Country-wise number of Arrivals as on 30.4.2021

1

Bahrain

78,128

2

Kuwait

2,26,777

3

Oman

3,29,139

4

Qatar

3,67,078

5

Saudi Arabia

4,79,103

6

UAE

25,44,288

(c) to (f) Government has taken many measures to assist in repatriation of Indian nationals from Gulf countries including those who lost their employment. For this purpose, Government of India launched Vande Bharat Mission in May 2020 under which lakhs of Indians have returned to India. Government of India also entered into air bubble arrangements with five countries in the Gulf, namely, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar and the UAE so that to and fro travel between India and Gulf countries can continue to happen despite the Covid-19 pandemic. Our Embassies and Consulate in Gulf countries provided all help in repatriation of Indians from the Gulf region including by liaising with local authorities for flights and Covid testing; taking up issues of those who lost their employment with their employers, where necessary; providing food and medical help, including to those who lost their jobs; payment of tickets to those in distress as per guidelines of Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF), etc. The assistance extended under ICWF by our Missions and Posts focus on the needs of Indians abroad in situations of distress.

 

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