Lok Sabha Question No. 2284 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-12
Subject: Students and Workers from Punjab Facing Distress Abroad
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Amrinder Singh Raja Warring

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 2284 ANSWERED ON- 12/12/2025

## STUDENTS AND WORKERS FROM PUNJAB FACING DISTRESS ABROAD

## 2284. SHRI AMRINDER SINGH RAJA WARRING

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

(a) the details of complaints related to overseas deaths, visa issues, fraudulent recruitment, workplace exploitation, loss of documents and student-related   grievances   received   from   Indian   nationals   abroad during the last three years, State-wise;

(b)   whether   the   data   indicates   that   persons   from   Punjab   form   a significant share of such complaints and if so, the reasons identified by the Ministry for this heightened vulnerability;

(c)   the   steps   taken   to   strengthen   consular   services   and   grievanceredressal mechanisms in countries where students and workers from Punjab are present in large numbers; and

(d) whether the Government proposes to enhance outreach, community engagement and emergency-support measures through Indian Missions

to   better   assist   students   and   workers   from   Punjab   facing   distress abroad?

## ANSWER

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

(a & b) The number of complaints received from Indian nationals abroad during the last three years are placed below. State-wise data is not available with this Ministry.

| Portal   |   Number of complaints received |   Number of complaints received |   Number of complaints received |
|----------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
|          |                            2022 |                            2023 |                            2024 |
| MADAD    |                            5774 |                            5794 |                            5704 |
| CPGRAMS  |                            5609 |                            3492 |                            2798 |
| Total    |                           11383 |                            9286 |                            8502 |

(c)   Indian   Missions   and   Posts   abroad   render   all   possible   consular assistance to the Indian nationals, including students and workers, whenever required. Indian nationals can contact the Indian Missions and Posts abroad via walk-ins, email, social media platforms, 24x7 emergency telephone numbers and Toll Free Helplines established by Missions and Posts abroad and grievance redressal portals like MADAD, CPGRAMS etc for prompt redressal of their grievances. Indian Missions and Posts also assist in providing legal aid, wherever needed. Missions

and   Posts   also   maintain   a   local   panel   of   lawyers   where   Indian community is in sizeable numbers. Indian nationals who are in distress in foreign countries are provided assistance under Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) set up in all Indian Missions and Posts abroad to meet any contingency expenditure incurred by them, on a means-tested basis. Besides, Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (PBSKs) have been set up at Dubai, Sharjah, Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuala Lumpur to provide assistance to distressed Indian nationals abroad. Advisories are issued for Indian nationals from time to time, asking them to exercise due caution   and   remain   vigilant.   The   Government   remains   vigilant   to developments impacting the lives of Indian nationals abroad and takes all measures to safeguard their interests and welfare.

(d) The Government of India accords high priority on safeguarding the interests   and   welfare   of   Indian   nationals,   including   students   and workers abroad. Indian Missions and Posts abroad maintain regular contact with Indian students enrolled in foreign universities. Mission's officials   visit   universities   and   educational   institutions   in   their jurisdictions to interact with Indian students and student associations and to assess any issue concerning the credibility or quality of courses being pursued. Several Indian Missions and Posts abroad also issue formal advisories for Indian Students under their jurisdiction aimed towards protecting their interests, welfare and safety in foreign lands.

On   receipt   of   any   complaint   or   grievance   from   Indian   nationals including labourers, Indian Missions and Posts pro-actively take it up with the concerned Foreign Employer (FE) and, if needed, visits the work place of the aggrieved worker. The issues are also taken up with the local Labour Department and other concerned authorities of the host country for redressal.

Indian Missions and Posts abroad also remain vigilant, particularly in countries affected by political instability, economic crises, and where the risk of Indian nationals, including students and workers, being misled   or   exploited   may   be   higher.   Any   incident   affecting   Indian nationals are immediately raised with host governments to ensure their safety   and   appropriate   redressal.   Consular   assistance,   including emergency   medical   support,   temporary   accommodation,   and   other essential   services,   is   extended   whenever   needed.   The   Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) further supports Indian nationals in distress and offers assistance for incurring emergency expenses and repatriation of mortal remains on a means- tested basis.

During   emergencies,   the   Government   has   undertaken   large-scale evacuation   operations   to   protect   and   bring   home   Indian   nationals, including students and workers. Notable recent evacuation operations include   Operation   Devi   Shakti   (Afghanistan),   Operation   Ganga

(Ukraine),   Operation   Kaveri   (Sudan),   Operation   Ajay   (Israel)   and Operation   Sindhu   (Israel   and   Iran).   These   efforts   demonstrate   the Ministry's commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of Indian nationals abroad and towards protecting them from miscreants and unsafe security situations.

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