LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3332
TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2022
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO INDIAN CITIZENS
3332. SHRI ANTO ANTONY:
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government is providing financial assistance to the Indian citizens, who are abroad and are facing financial difficulties due to job loss and hospitalization under Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) or any other scheme; and
(b) if so, the details thereof including the number of beneficiaries and the amount disbursed by our Missions abroad during the last 10 years, year-wise and country-wise?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
The para-wise reply of the question is as under:
(a) Yes, Government provides assistance to the Indian citizens abroad in distress situation under Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) for boarding & lodging, air passage to India, legal assistance, transportation of mortal remains, payment for small fines and penalties in respect of Indian nationals for minor offences/crimes, and for emergency medical care. The assistance is provided in all deserving cases on means tested basis.
(b) The details of the ICWF utilization, including financial assistance for hospitalization along with the number of beneficiaries and the amount disbursed by our Mission abroad during the last 10 years, year-wise and country-wise is available at Annexure-A
.