Lok Sabha Question No. 3115 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-13
Subject: Enhancement of Consular Services
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Bhola Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 3115

ANSWERED ON- 13/12/2024

## ENHANCEMENT OF CONSULAR SERVICES

## 3115 DR. BHOLA SINGH

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

- (a)   the   steps   taken/proposed   to   be   taken   by   the   Government   to enhance consular services for Indian nationals abroad, particularly in countries with a high concentration of Indian diaspora;
- (b) whether the Government has implemented new digital platforms to streamline visa and passport services;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

- (d) the total number of Indian nationals assisted through the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) in 2023-24; and
- (e) the initiatives taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure the safety and welfare of Indian workers in Gulf countries?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a)   The   Government   has   taken   several   steps   to   enhance   consular services   for   Indian   nationals   abroad,   through   Indian   Missions   on priority basis. Grievances are responded through various channels like calls,   walk-ins,   e-mails,   social   media,   24x7   Helplines   and   Open Houses. Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata 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. Mission officials 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 helping their return to India.

(b & c) The Government has implemented Passport Seva Project (PSP), an IT driven mission mode project, that has successfully provided an efficient, secure, user-friendly, transparent and accountable passport services   to   citizens   across   the   country.     Passport   Seva   System presently offers a unique method of service delivery which is at par with   any   global   service   delivery   systems. The   Government   has simplified   the   passport   issuance   process   in   several   ways.   To streamline, liberalise and ease the process of passport issuance, the Ministry has taken several steps to simplify passport policy, benefiting citizens of India in applying for and obtaining a passport. The Passport portal   (www.passportindia.gov.in)   is   user   friendly,   accessible   to anyone, from anywhere and anytime in India. An applicant can apply for passport from anywhere in India. This citizen-friendly initiative has enabled applicants to choose the Passport Office (PO) and thus the desired PSKs/ POPSKs under the Regional Passport Office (RPO) where they wish to submit their application, irrespective of  whether  the present   residential   address   specified   in   the   application   form   lies

within the jurisdiction of the selected RPO or not. Citizens can also apply,   pay   and   schedule   appointments   for   passport   services   on mPassport Seva mobile app, and do not require access of computer and printer to apply for passport services. The mPassport Seva mobile app   enables   users   to   apply,   pay   and   schedule   appointments   for passport   services.   It   also   provides   passport   related   information, including the location of PSKs/POPSKs, applicable fees, submission methods and tracking of passport application status on a smart phone. In parallel, the Government of India has also streamlined other aspects of international travel and immigration. Initiatives such as the e-Visa, which is available to nationals of 172 countries, alongside platforms like the Study in India Portal and the Medical & Ayush Visa Portal, further   enhance   India's   global   connectivity   and   ease   of   access   to various   services   for   foreign   nationals.   Collectively,   these   efforts signify India's commitment to modernizing and securing its passport and visa services, leveraging technology to improve the overall user experience for both citizens and international visitors.

(d) The total number of Indian nationals assisted through the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) in 2023 and 2024 (till September, 2024) is 25,951.

(e) The Government accords high priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indian workers abroad and has taken several initiatives such   as   Pravasi   Bhartiya   Bima   Yojna   (PBBY)   and   Pre-Departure Orientation & Training (PDOT) in ensuring that Indian migrant workers (including labourers) undertake safe migration, have decent working and living conditions in destination countries, are aware of their rights and have access to various welfare schemes of the Government. The Pravasi   Bharatiya   Bima   Yojana   (PBBY)   is   a   mandatory   insurance scheme aimed at safeguarding  the   interests   of   Emigration   Check Required (ECR) category Indian migrant workers going for employment to 18 ECR countries. The scheme provides an insurance cover of INR. 10 lakh and other benefits in case of accidental death or permanent disability leading to job loss, at a nominal insurance premium of INR 275/- for two years or INR 375/- for three years validity. PDOT is a oneday training programme on soft skills imparted by Ministry of External

Affairs   (MEA)   in   collaboration   with   National   Skill   Development Corporation (NSDC), State Governments and other stake holders.

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