Lok Sabha Question No. 689 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-04
Subject: NRI in Foreign Countries
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Prathap Simha, D. M. Kathir Anand, Sanganna Amarappa Karadi, Annasaheb Shankar Jolle, Umesh G. Jadhav, B. Y. Raghavendra

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.689 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.02.2022

## NRI IN FOREIGN COUNTRIES

## 689.  SHRI PRATHAP SIMHA:

SHRI D.M. KATHIR ANAND:

SHRI SANGANNA AMARAPPA:

SHRI ANNASAHEB SHANKAR JOLLE:

DR. UMESH G. JADHAV:

SHRI B.Y . RAGHAVENDRA:

Will the Minister of External Affairs be pleased to state:

- (a) the data on the total number of Indians NRIs and PIO living in foreign countries as on date; and
- (b) the steps taken by the Government to ensure safety and security of the Indians living in foreign countries?

ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

- (a) The total number of PIOs and NRIs living in foreign countries as on 25.12.2021 as per the data available with the Ministry is as follows:

| PIOs: 1.87 crores   | NRIs: 1.35 crores   | Total: 3.22 crores   |
|---------------------|---------------------|----------------------|

(b) Several steps have been taken to ensure safety and security of Indians abroad. Indian Missions and Posts abroad are dedicated to the overall welfare including ensuring safety and security of Indians abroad. Any issue pertaining to Indians abroad is dealt by the Mission on priority basis.   Missions/Posts   conduct   open   houses   for   NRIs   to   discuss   issues related to their safety and security. These issues are further highlighted and taken up with the host government wherever necessary for action on priority basis.

Some other steps to ensure overall safety and security of NRIs are as follows:

-  The Ministry organizes awareness workshops on safe and legal migration for the welfare of our workers and to generate awareness among   them.   A   Pre-Departure   Orientation   Training   (PDOT)   is

imparted to the workers before they migrate to foreign countries. Also a PDOT manual for prospective emigrants has been prepared, including its translation in  regional languages. Online PDOT has also   been   launched   to   reach   out   to   women   and   prospective migrants from remote areas. The  Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) provides insurance for workers.

-  To   facilitate   the   return   of   Indian   nationals   stranded   in   various countries due to restriction imposed in the wake of pandemic, the Vande Bharat Mission was started on 7 th  May, 2020.  During COVID19   pandemic,   our   Missions/Posts   abroad   proactively   helped distressed/stranded  Indian   nationals   in   terms   of   providing   food, shelter, medicine and return back to India.
-  Some other initiatives like MADAD Portal, Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF),  E-migrate Portal, Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayta Kendra (PBSK), Rishta Portal, etc, help NRIs to get assistance and address their grievances and ensure their safety and security.
-  Grievances   are   also   registered   and   responded   through   various channels   like   calls,   walk-in,   e-mails,   T witter,   Whatsapp,   24   x   7 Helpline and other Social Media accounts of Missions/Posts.

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