The situation in Kuwait caused by restrictions being imposed on expatriates is a cause of more concern, compared to the Nitaquat issue in Saudi Arabia, according to Chief Minister Oommen Chandy.
He told the Assembly on Tuesday, in response to a calling attention motion of Abdurahman Randathani (IUML), that the state government was keenly watching the developments in Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
Though the amnesty period to enable registration of expatriates in Saudi Arabia is set to end within three weeks, efforts are on to extend it, the CM said. ‘’Like in the case of Saudi Arabia, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid, Minister of State E Ahmed and Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi will hold consultations on the Kuwait issue also so as to alleviate the sufferings of the Indian work force there. A favourable decision from Kuwait authorities is expected soon,’’ Chandy said.
He promised that effective and cost-free measures would be put in place for bringing Malayalis from Saudi Arabia. ‘’In the case of Kuwait, the govt there is not submitting the list of defaulters with the Indian embassy and directly deporting them to any airport in India, mostly New Delhi. It is an issue. From there, the state government is providing transportation free of cost,’’ Chandy said.
NORKA Minister K C Joseph said that the Saudi Govt had co-operated with the Indian Govt by all possible means on ‘Nitaquat’ and the Indian embassy authorities also rose to the occasion. Recalling his recent meetings with Hameedali Rao, Indian Ambassador to Saudi Arabia, and Deputy Chief of Mission Siby George, the Minister noted their best efforts to provide all help. The Embassy is also receiving immense support from social workers in the region, he said. Joseph said that the Saudi strictures should be viewed as a warning.
“It is now being implemented in Kuwait. GCC countries will soon come up with such measures. The state should chalk out measures for the rehabilitation of expatriate Malayalis from Saudi Arabia. A report filed by a 10-member panel headed by INKEL chairman T Balakrishnan is under the active consideration of the government, he said. ‘’Differing statistics are there on the number of Gulf Malayalis. Once the NORKA survey is over, a clear picture will emerge. Malayalis are expected to be around 6,000 only. Many of them are trying to avail legally valid jobs and stay. The return of remaining people should be at nominal air fare and Centre has been asked to ensure it,’’ he said.