Lok Sabha Question No. 2265 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-07-29
Subject: Representation from Indian Diaspora
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Pratima Mondal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2265 TO BE ANSWERED ON 29.07.2022

## REPRESENTATION FROM INDIAN DIASPORA

## 2265. SHRIMATI PRATIMA MONDAL:

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has received representations from Indian diaspora regarding problems being faced by them in the countries of their residence;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the   number   of   complaints   which   came   to   the   notice   of   the Government during each of the last three years and the current year; and
- (d) the country-wise details of the steps taken by the Government to resolve their problems through channels of embassies?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## [SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]

(a) to (c) The Government gets  representations from Indian diaspora regarding issues faced by them in the countries of their residence. To enable the diaspora to make representations of their grievances, the Government has provided online portals such as MADAD and e-Migrate. The details of complaints received during each of the last three years and the current year are as follows -

| Year                  | Complaints received   | Complaints received   |
|-----------------------|-----------------------|-----------------------|
|                       | MADAD                 | e-Migrate             |
| 2019                  | 12160                 | 1462                  |
| 2020                  | 12146                 | 2262                  |
| 2021                  | 7595                  | 1633                  |
| 2022(until June 2022) | 2856                  | 510                   |

(d) The   Government   has   taken   several   steps   to   resolve   the problems   of   Indians   abroad   through   the   Indian   Missions.   Any   issue pertaining to Indians abroad is dealt by Missions/Posts on priority basis. Grievances are responded through various channels like calls, walk-ins, emails, social media, 24x7 Helplines and Open Houses. As required, these issues are taken up with the host government for action on priority basis. If the issue pertains to the State Governments in India, then it is taken up with them for resolution. Pravasi Bharatiya Sahatya Kendras (PBSKs) have been set up at Dubai, Sharjah, Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuala Lumpur to provide assistance to Indian workers abroad. Shelter homes for distressed

Indian nationals have also been set up at some Missions/Posts. Wherever Indian students are enrolled in universities abroad, the Missions keep in regular touch with them. Wherever required, Mission officials also visit immigration offices and labour camps to address the complaints of Indian workers.   Financial   assistance   to   distressed   Indians,   if   necessary,   is provided   through   the   Indian   Community   Welfare   Fund   (ICWF).   During emergency or crisis situations, our Missions/Posts abroad pro-actively help distressed /stranded Indian nationals in terms of providing food, shelter, medicine and return back to India. Indians were brought back to India under various operations such as Vande Bharat Mission, Operation Devi Shakti and Operation Ganga from countries around the world, Afghanistan and Ukraine respectively.

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