Lok Sabha Question No. 3778 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Transporting Mortal Remains
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: P. KUMAR

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3778 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## TRANSPORTING MORTAL REMAINS

## 3778.     SHRI P. KUMAR:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  Indian  nationals  face  horrific  experience  in  bringing the dead bodies of their relatives back to India;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the details of the number of dead bodies to be brought back from Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries, and the number of bodies  that  were  brought  back  to  India  during  the  last  two years and this year, year-wise, country-wise; and
- (d) the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS [GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

- (a) No.  Our  Missions/Posts  abroad  extend  all  possible  help  in bringing  back  the  dead  bodies  to  the  relatives  of  those  who  die abroad.
- (b) Does not arise.
- (c) Details are at Annexure.
- (d) As  soon  as  the  information  about  the  death  of  an  Indian national comes to the knowledge of the concerned Indian Mission/Post abroad, they take proactive action by seeking a report from  the  local  Foreign  Office  and  other  concerned  authorities regarding  the  cause  of  the  death  of  the  Indian  national.  Our Missions/Posts abroad also inform the next of kin of the deceased Indian  national,  and  facilitate  the  transportation  to  India  or  local

burial of mortal remains in accordance with the wishes of the family of  the  deceased.  The  relevant  documents  related  to  the  deceased are attested and other assistance is provided on priority basis when required, including after office hours and on holidays.

A  new  Consular  Services  Monitoring  System  named  MADAD has  been  set  up  recently,  which  accords  maximum  priority  to  the follow  up  of  mortal  remains  cases.  Anyone  can  directly  lodge  a grievance to MADAD portal, which flashes it immediately for action to the welfare officer of the concerned Indian Mission/Post. MADAD portal also enables easy tracking, sharing/receiving information and follow up between a grievant and the concerned Indian Mission/Post.

*****

ANNEXURE

| Country              | Number of dead bodies to be brought back to India   | Number of dead bodies to be brought back to India   | Number of dead bodies to be brought back to India   | Number of bodies brought back to India   | Number of bodies brought back to India   | Number of bodies brought back to India   |
|----------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------|
|                      | 2015                                                | 2016                                                | 2017                                                | 2015                                     | 2016                                     | 2017                                     |
|                      |                                                     |                                                     | (upto 1.8.2017)                                     |                                          |                                          | (upto 1.8.2017)                          |
| Bahrain              | 190                                                 | 148                                                 | 121                                                 | 190                                      | 148                                      | 121                                      |
| Iraq                 | 11                                                  | 5                                                   | 6                                                   | 11                                       | 5                                        | 6                                        |
| Kuwait               | 504                                                 | 468                                                 | 279                                                 | 504                                      | 468                                      | 279                                      |
| Muscat               | 473                                                 | 447                                                 | 258                                                 | 473                                      | 447                                      | 258                                      |
| Qatar                | 279                                                 | 281                                                 | 163                                                 | 279                                      | 281                                      | 163                                      |
| Saudi Arabia         | 1273                                                | 1260                                                | 758                                                 | 1273                                     | 1257                                     | 667                                      |
| United Arab Emirates | 1315                                                | 1418                                                | 835                                                 | 1315                                     | 1418                                     | 835                                      |
| Yemen                | 8                                                   | 6                                                   | 0                                                   | 8                                        | 6                                        | 0                                        |
| TOTAL:               | 4053                                                | 4033                                                | 2420                                                | 4053                                     | 4030                                     | 2329                                     |

*****