Lok Sabha Question No. 68 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-02-02
Subject: Pro Bono Legal Assistance
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-68 ANSWERED ON- 02/02/2024

## PRO BONO LEGAL ASSISTANCE

## 68.  SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to provide pro-bono
- legal   assistance   at   Indian   embassies,   consulates   and   highcommissions in foreign countries to extend help to Indian nationals who are cheated by agents and reported by having to endure cruelty and injustice by sponsors; and;
- (b)   if   so,   the   details   thereof   along   with   number   of   such   cases reported to embassies during the last three years and current year?

## ANSWER

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

## (SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

- (a) Indian Missions and Posts assist in providing legal assistance
- wherever required by Indian nationals including those cheated by agents and those facing physical or mental harassment or injustice by  sponsors  etc.   Indian   Missions/Posts   also   extend   all   possible consular assistance to Indians imprisoned abroad. A local panel of lawyers is also maintained by all such Indian Missions/Posts where Indian community exists in sizeable numbers. Indian Missions/Posts regularly   organize   Open   Houses   and   Consular   Camps   in   remote areas to get the feedback from the Indian workers abroad and address   their   grievances.   The   Indian   Community   Welfare   Fund (ICWF) is set up in Indian Missions & Posts abroad for assisting overseas Indian nationals in distress situations on a means tested basis   in   deserving   cases.   The   support   extended   under   ICWF includes   financial   assistance   for   legal   aid   as   well   as   travel documents/air tickets during repatriation.
- (b) As   per   data   available   with   Indian   Missions/Posts   in   GCC countries, where majority of labour related issues are encountered,

year-wise break up of labour complaints received (including those where legal assistance was provided) during the last three years is given below:

| Country              |   Year wise number of labour complaints received |   Year wise number of labour complaints received | Year wise number of labour complaints received   |
|----------------------|--------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|
|                      |                                             2021 |                                             2022 | 2023 (till November)                             |
| Bahrain              |                                              355 |                                              638 | 628                                              |
| Kuwait               |                                             4339 |                                             5660 | 7303                                             |
| Oman                 |                                              830 |                                             1299 | 1824                                             |
| Qatar                |                                             1732 |                                             1690 | 1373                                             |
| Saudi Arabia         |                                             1604 |                                             2614 | 2585                                             |
| United Arab Emirates |                                             1587 |                                             1448 | 1253                                             |

During the period from 2014 to September 2023, an amount of INR 626 crores of ICWF fund has been utilized for assisting 3,42,543 Indians in distress in foreign countries.  Since the year 2014 till September, 2023, legal assistance by Indian Missions/Posts abroad was   extended   to   3321   Indian   nationals,   Boarding   &   Lodging assistance was provided to 1,70,402 Indian nationals, Emergency medical care provided to 10,515 distressed Indian nationals, air passage to 37,459 stranded Indians, and 3,461 mortal remains of Indian nationals were airlifted.

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