News Stories. July 15, 2004 Travancore Rayons at Perumbavoor to be opened Attacks on Indians in Gulf countries Illegal migration to foreign countries Mahabir Prasad stresses the linkages between Industry and local input to make rural employment a success New passport office in Mangalore Inhuman treatment to Indians in Iraq H-1B Visa cap imposed by U.S. Terrorist attack in Saudi Arabia Remittance sent by NRIs
Travancore Rayons at Perumbavoor to be opened
Thiruvananthapuram July 15: An agreement has been signed by the Kerala government and Coimbatore based N.D.E.E Group to open the Perumbavoor Travancore Rayons. The agreement was signed by Industries department Principal Secretary John Mathai on behalf of the government, N.Damodaran for N.D.E.E.Group and Managing Director, Jayaprakash on behalf of the company. The agreement was signed in the presence of Industries Minister Kunhalikutty. The promoter would buy the company as well as remove all the debts of company on the guarantee given by the government. The debts of the government and government agencies would be cleared in this manner. Permission for the payment of electricity charges, sales tax in installments and help in the starting of new hydroelectric projects are the main concessions and favours that is expected of the government. The promoter would be spending around 500 crores by stages in order to boost the reorganization of the company. The final agreement has been created after the scrutinization of various departments and also following discussions with the trade union leaders of the ruling and opposition parties.
The Travancore Rayons was started by M.C.T.M Chidambaram Chettiyar in 1946 with the partnership of the government in the private sector. Production was started in 1950. The company function properly till 1974 following which there were heavy losses and the company stopped functioning in 1984. Following this the M.C.T.M Group stopped having any kind of interest in the activities of the company. In 1986, the government at that time, restarted the company again with the help of financial institutions. Following this, as the company was again running in loss, the company came under B.I.F.R in 1987. Even though advertisement had been given in newspapers for finding a promoter who would takeup the company, the government received no offers. Following this B.I.F.R, ordered the lockout of the company in 2002. It is under such circumstances that this new promoter approached to take the company. The Kerala High Court had placed a stay on the lockout of the company as the government was considering the new redevelopment plan of the N.T.E.E Group. -Keralamonitor.com
Attacks on Indians in Gulf countries
July 15: Rajya Sabha
Indian Missions/Posts abroad are always accessible to Indians including those in distress. In countries with large number of Indian workers, Indian Missions/Posts have separate Labour/Welfare wings to attend to issues and problems faced by them. From 8th of July our Mission in Riyadh and Jeddah have started "Open House" on Second Thursday of every month from 2 pm to 5 pm for Indians in Saudi Arabia in interact with Mission Officials to resolve their problems, if any. This information was given to Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E. Ahamed in reply to a question by Shri Vijayaraghavan. -Keralamonitor.com
Illegal migration to foreign countries
July 15: Rajya SabhaSome cases of alleged involvement in defrauding people by promising to help them illegally entering the USA, UK, Canada and other countries have been reported. The action taken by Government to prevent illegal migration to foreign countries include investigation by the police authorities concerned; action against the persons, including agents, who are involved in illegal migration; cooperation with other countries for repatriation of illegal migrants after confirming their Indian nationality; and restricting the facility of passport to illegal migrants.
This information was given to Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E. Ahamed in reply to a question by Shri Abu Asim Azmi. Making a statement in the House, the Minister said, 'Both the Central and State Governments have been working to identify agents and touts involved in illegal immigration and to take all necessary measures against them. The Government is also cooperating with the foreign countries for the speedy repatriation of Indian illegal immigrants.'
The following is the full text of the Minister's statement :
"During the past few years, a number of Indian Missions/Posts abroad have brought to Ministry's notice several incidents of Indian nationals - individually or in groups - making attempts to migrate to countries in Western Europe and North America through illegal and fraudulent means. Many of these illegal immigrants are from Punjab. They try to migrate illegally mainly for economic reasons and are often assisted by unscrupulous agents and touts to whom they pay large sums of money. These illegal immigrants are taken to the developed countries in Western Europe and North America through Russia and other Eastern European countries which are used as transit countries for the purpose of illegal immigration. The general modus operandi for such activities is that after leaving India they intentionally lose or destroy their travel documents to prevent verification of their real identity/nationality status and their repatriation back to India. After reaching the country of their destination they either apply for political asylum or refugee status on one ground or the other or even obtain fake/forged travel documents establishing their right of residence in the country of destination. They make use of loopholes in the local legal system, inlcuding by getting married to a local person for the purpose of obtaining citizenship, in order to prolong their stay in the country of destination with the ultimate aim of staying there permanently. However, many such illegal immigrants are caught and put in foreign jails.
Illegal immigration has largely been taking place from the developing and least developed countries to the developed countries in Western Europe, North America, Australia and New Zealand. However, in the post-9/11 scenario European and North American countries which were favoured destinations for illegal immigration have made their rules more stringent. The result is that not only the number of persons going to these countries as illegal immigrants has come down but these countries have also started repatriating illegal immigrants to their home countries.
The illegal immigration from India continues unabated and various countries of the world, particularly Western Europe and North America as also transit countries in Eastern Europe, are swamped by fresh illegal immigrants from India almost on a daily basis. The number of agents and touts also seems to be increasing as illegal immigrants try to use all means including illegal means, to reach their destinations.
Both the Central and State Governments have been working to identify agents and touts involved in illegal immigration and to take all necessary measures against them. The Government is also cooperating with the foreign countries for the speedy repatriation of Indian illegal immigrants." -Keralamonitor.com
Shri Mahabir Prasad stresses the linkages between Industry and local input to make rural employment a successJuly 15: The Minister for SSI and ARI, Shri Mahabir Prasad has stressed the need for linkages between the main products and the sub-activities at village or local level for making Rural Industrialization a success. Shri Mahabir Prasad was addressing a National Seminar on "Agro and Rural Industrialization - A solution Towards Sustainable Rural Employment", here today. The Seminar was organized by Confederation of Indian Industry.
The Minister said that the production activity leading to main product may be divided into two parts. The first part would consist of tiny rural units leading to semi-finished product or part of the product. Then, this may be combined with the technical and the machine inputs, to give it a finished form and also marketing arrangements. In these tiny and satellite units, the unemployed youths can be gainfully employed. This combined process will also take care of use of raw material at local level and will substantially cut down the overall cost to make the product competitive in the market. This will also make the way for sustainable rural employment. The combined efforts of traditional knowledge of skills, raw material etc. with modern technology will benefit both - the workers at village level and the industry.
The major objectives of the seminar are: to formulate a common approach for corporate participation in rural industrialization; creation of a coordination mechanism through convergence of government existing programmes and support system; and strengthening public-private partnership. -Keralamonitor.com
New passport office in MangaloreJuly 15: Rajya Sabha
The number of applications received from Dakshina Kannada and Udupi Districts during the year 2003 was 26,709 which is 18.4% of the total 1,46,399 applications received in Passport Office Bangalore.
Due to several constraints including shortage of staff, the Government is not in a position to open a Passport Office in Mangalore. In addition, as per existing guidelines as recommended by Parliamentary Standing Committee, there should be at least 50,000 applications from an area for opening a Passport Office and thus, Mangalore does not qualify for a Passport Office. Moreover, as part of scheme to decentralise submission of passport applications to district level, the Government has asked the State Governments to open District Passport Cells (DPCs) in each district. Apart from a Passport Application Collection Centre in Mangalore, there are 13 DPCs in Karnataka.
This information was given to Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E. Ahamed in reply to a question by Shri K.B. Krishna Murthy. -Keralamonitor.com
Inhuman treatment to Indians in IraqJuly 15: Rajya Sabha
Some of the Indians who have been misled by recruiting agents into taking up jobs in Iraq have complained of abuse and ill-treatment in some of the camps in Iraq. Visits to some of these camps and investigations by the Indian Embassy in Baghdad indicate that their living conditions in the camp are generally satisfactory but they face restrictions relating to their movement for security reasons. The Embassy has assisted interested workers in returning to India.
Cases of alleged ill-treatment and abuse were taken up with the US Authorities in Iraq and US Embassies in New Delhi, Kuwait and Amman. Our Embassy in Baghdad also pursued the matter with the Coalition Provincial Authority. The US authorities conveyed that they will not countenance abuse or exploitation of workers by the private contractors who have contracted Indian workers in Iraq. The US authorities conveyed their concern at the reports of ill-treatment of Indian workers and after investigations have conveyed that the allegation are exaggerated or largely false. The US also provided a list of private contractors who have employed Indian workers in Iraq. Our Missions in Kuwait, Jordan and Iraq are in contact with the contractors for ensuring welfare and well being of the workers.
This information was given to Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri E. Ahamed in reply to a question by Shri Rajkumar Dhoot. -Keralamonitor.com
Militants' training campsJuly 15: Rajya Sabha
There have been reports in the media that ULFA, KLO and other North Eastern militant groups have sought shelter in Bangladesh and China following the counter insurgency operations launched by the Royal Bhutan Army.
This was brought to the attention of the Embassy of People's Republic of China in New Delhi with a request to the Government of People's Republic of China to take appropriate action. The matter was also raised with Bangladesh during the DG level BSF-BDR talks in January 2004. The cooperation of the Bangladesh authorities was sought in apprehending the militants fleeing Bhutan. The Bangladesh Government has conveyed that they had sealed the border following the Bhutanese operation.
Embassy of People's Republic of China in New Delhi has conveyed that the Chinese Government attaches great importance to the development of its friendly and cooperative relations with India; that China has always followed the policy of non-interference in the internal affairs of other countries and will not allow its territory to be used by anybody for activities against other countries. The Chinese side has also said that it had taken note of the concern of the Indian side and would closely monitor the development of the situation and keep in touch with the Indian authorities on this matter.
This information was given to Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri Rao Inderjit Singh in reply to a question by Shri Rajkumar Dhoot. -Keralamonitor.com
H-1B Visa cap imposed by U.S.July 15: Rajya Sabha
The Government of U.S.A. has imposed a cap of 65,000 jobs for IT companies. 50,000 visas have been granted and would join after 1 October 2004. Remaining 15,000 visas are in process.
H-1B visa holders would be allowed to stay in U.S.A. only if their labour certification application is approved by the State or labour certification was filed one year prior to expiry of H-1B visa. In late cases extension will be granted for one year each time until labour department finally clears the application.
In 2001, 2002 and 2003 approximately 2,50,000 Indian IT professionals entered in U.S.A. The year wise break up is not available with the Government of India.
This information was given to Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State for External Affairs, Shri Rao Inderjit Singh in reply to a question by Smt. N.P. Durga. -Keralamonitor.com
Terrorist attack in Saudi ArabiaJuly 15: Rajya Sabha
The Government is closely monitoring the security situation in the Gulf countries with particular attention being paid to developments that may have a bearing on security and well being of Indians working there. Our Missions in Gulf countries are in constant contact with concerned local authorities for the safety and security of the Indian community in their jurisdiction. The Missions are in regular contact with Indian communities in their respective countries to render all possible assistance in this regard.
This information was given to Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State in the Ministry of External Affairs, Shri E. Ahamed in reply to a question by Shri Abu Asim Azmi.
The Minister further informed that on 29 May 2004, terrorists identified as belonging to Al-Qaida attacked the office of Arab Petroleum Investment Corporation in Al Khobar which was followed by hostage taking in the nearby Oasis Housing Complex. Eight Indians were killed in the incident. Our Ambassador in Saudi Arabia met the Governor of the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia where Al Khobar is located and received assurances of cooperation with regard to safety of Indian nationals. Further more Indians are not targeted so far in any Arab country, Shri Ahmed added. -Keralamonitor.com
Dual citizenship to NRIsJuly 15:
Rajya SabhaThe Minister of State (Independent charge) for NRI Affairs, Shri Jagdish Tytler told the Rajya Sabha today that Overseas citizenship has been provided to Persons of Indian Origin of the following countries:
1. Australia 2. Canada 3. Finland 4. France 5. Greece 6. Ireland 7. Israel 8. Italy
9. Netherlands 10. New Zealand 11. Portugal 12. Republic of Cyprus
13. Sweden 14. Switzerland 15. United Kingdom, 16. U.S.A.
The Minister, however, clarified that NRIs are already Indian Citizens and as such no dual citizenship has been provided to them. He was replying to a question by Smt. Kum Kum Rai.
Shri Tytler further told that the criteria for selecting countries to provide dual citizenship comprises of longstanding and clear demand by the PIO community; local consensus and prevailing environment; and local laws should permit dual citizenship.
The PIOs get many benefits from Overseas Citizenship. These include:Issuance of a registration certificate on being granted Overseas Citizenship;Issuance of overseas citizen passport;No requirement of visa for travel to India (both passports will be required to be presented while travelling to/from India);No registration formalities for staying in the country up to 180 days;No separate documentation required for admission in colleges/institutions or for taking employment;Parity with non-resident Indians in respect of facilities available to the latter in the economic, financial and educational fields;Facilities as available to children of NRIs for obtaining admission to educational institutions in India, including medical colleges, engineering colleges, institute of technology, institute of management etc. under the general category.Shri Tytler said that the benefits accruing to India by providing dual citizenship are:Strengthening of emotional and cultural ties with IndiaImportant role of PIOs in the development processForeign investment in various sectors Transfer of technology- Greater coordination with motherland -Keralamonitor.comRemittance sent by NRIs
July 15: Rajya Sabha
The net amount of remittances sent by NRIs from different parts of the world during 2003-04 was 18,885 million US $ in terms of private transfers as compared to 14,807 million US $ in 2002-03. The remittances in terms of NRI Deposits were 3,628 million US $ in 2003-04 in comparison to 2,976 million US $ in 2002-03.
This information was given to Rajya Sabha today by the Minister of State (Independent charge) for NRI Affairs, Shri Jagdish Tytler in reply to a question by Shri Shahid Siddiqui. -Keralamonitor.com