Lok Sabha Question No. 3786 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2017-08-09
Subject: Migration of Indians
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3786 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2017

## MIGRATION OF INDIANS

## 3786. SHRI PONGULETI SRINIVASA REDDY:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  according  to  UN's  internal  organ  IMP  (International Migration Organisation), a large number of Indians are willing to  migrate  and  settle  in  other  countries  and  are  desperately looking for opportunities abroad;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  the  measures  taken  by  the Government to stop brain-drain from India; and
- (c) the progress so far achieved by ICM  (India Centre for Migration)  and  its  role  in  curbing  migration  or  facilitating  in migration of Indians?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) & (b) No. International Organization of Migration (IOM) publishes  migration  related  reports  from  time  to  time.  One  of  the latest  surveys  on  Measuring  Global  Migration  Potential  2010-2015 released  by  IOM  indicates  that  less  than  half  a  percent  of  adults worldwide are making preparations to migrate abroad. The respective  figures  for  India  for  those  planning  and  preparing  to migrate are indicated  at 3.5 million and 1.3 million respectively.

Ongoing  economic  reforms,  various  initiatives  and  flagship programmes viz Swachh Bharat Mission, National Mission for Clean Ganga,  Make  in  India,  Digital  India,  Skill  India,  Stand  up  India undertaken by the Government and sustained high rate of economic growth  in India are providing an enabling environment to our youth.

(c) The  India  Centre  for  Migration  (ICM)  serves  as  a  research think-tank of the  Ministry of External Affairs on all matters related to  International  Migration.  The  broad  areas  of  ICM's  activities include  research,  capacity  building  and  assisting  the  Ministry  on matters relating to international migration. Since its establishment, ICM  has  also  collaborated  with  other  organizations  such  as  the European Commission (EC), International Organization for Migration (IOM),  UN  Women,  International  Labour  Organization  (ILO)  and Centre for Development Studies (CDS).

ICM  has  been  closely  involved  with  the  Ministry's  outreach efforts in partnership with State governments for generating awareness on issues relating to overseas Indians and consular/passport services, grievance redressal, skilling programmes and welfare and protection of overseas Indians.

ICM has brought out a comprehensive Training Module on PreDeparture  Orientation  (PDO)  and  a  handbook  for  migrant  workers leaving  for  Gulf  countries  in  collaboration  with  IOM.  ICM  has  also conducted workshops to train Master Trainers and State Government Officials on PDO. The Manual has already been translated into Hindi and Telugu languages. A separate handbook on PDO for women migrant workers has also been prepared. Imparting PDO  is  integral  part  of  Ministry's  efforts  to  ensure  that  workers should migrate safely with an enhanced skill-set - 'Surakshit Jaaye, Prashikshit Jaaye'.

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