India Policy Measures on welfare of female domestic workers

The Government of India has taken several policy measures since the year 2007 for the protection and welfare of Indian female domestic workers coming to the GCC countries for employment, as stated below:-

I. A  female domestic worker should not  be less than  30 years of age;

II. The Employment contract should be between the sponsor and the worker and that the attestation of this contract is  mandatory from Indian Embassy;

III. Every foreign employer recruiting Indian female domestic worker has to provide bank guarantee of US$ 2,500 with the Indian Embassy;

IV. A pre-paid mobile phone should be provided by the employer to domestic worker;

V.  Payment  of minimum monthly wage to female domestic workers (KD 70  per month in Kuwait); and

VI. 24X7 Telephone Helpline, run by the Embassy, for information and advice to Indian workers as regards their grievances, immigration and other matters.

2.        The bank guarantee policy measure has already been implemented in Saudi Arabia, UAE, Oman, Bahrain and Qatar.  As it is now necessary to submit bank guarantee of US $ 2,500 by sponsors in Kuwait employing Indian female domestic workers, the Embassy had issued a press release on 12 September 2014.  There is no denying of the fact that there have been many instances in the past of non-payment of wages, severe physical and mental abuse, and acute harassment of Indian domestic workers in Kuwait.  Very often passports of Indian domestic workers are kept by their sponsors in Kuwait.

3.        While the bank guarantee provision has been implemented for Indian female domestic workers in other GCC countries since 2007, its implementation has been effective in Kuwait from 13 September 2014.  The bank guarantee is required only for female Indian domestic workers and that too those coming to Kuwait after the introduction of bank guarantee provision in September 2014.  The bank guarantee is not needed for those Indian female workers who are already working in Kuwait. 

4.        The bank guarantee will be returned to the sponsor once he/she fulfils his/her contractual obligations.  Only in rare cases of non-payment of  dues etc., the bank guarantee will be used to  settle the dues. 

5.        The Indian authorities have proposed in March 2014 to the authorities of Kuwait to conclude early an Agreement on labour cooperation for domestic workers recruitment.  India has signed a similar agreement with Saudi Arabia in January 2014.

6.        The Embassy is working with concerned authorities in Kuwait for the strengthening further of historically close and friendly ties between India and Kuwaiti. 

Establishment of Department of NRI Affairs under the Government of  Uttar Pradesh-India

The Government of Uttar Pradesh has recently transformed the existing NRI cell into a full- fledged Department of NRI Affairs. It aims at creating an effective and meaningful relationship with the NRIs of Uttar Pradesh to provide support to families and relatives for any matter which they might face in their home state.

The department plans to roll out cards certifying NRIs and PIOs from the State which will ensure prompt response, in addition to multiple third party benefits. It has also been decided to launch a website of the Department of NRI Affairs which will have the contact numbers of all senior officers in the State government of all districts so that they can be contacted directly. The state’s diaspora are always welcome to give any suggestion/feedback at info@udyogbandhu.com

The contact details of Department of NRI Affairs are: Shri Sanjiv Saran, Principal Secretary, Infrastructure and Industrial Development, Udyog Bhavan, 12-C, Mall Avenue, Government of Uttar Pradesh, Lucknow-226001, Office Telephone No-0091-522-2238316 & 2215510. FAX-0091-522-2239306.

Thirteen Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, Gandhinagar, 7-9 January 2015

 

The Ministry of Indian Overseas Affairs is organizing the Thirteenth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from 7-9 January 2015. The registration for participation of Non-Resident Indians in the PBD may please be done at the website : www.pbd-india.com.

The Registration types include Conference Package, Non-Conference Package, Student Package, Youth PBD and Gopio Member. An early bird discount is available to all those participants who register before 20 November 2014. All members of our community residing in Kuwait interested in participating in the Thirteenth PBD may please register at the earliest. Your registration may be intimated to the Embassy at fscce@indembkwt.org. 

THE REPATRIATION OF MORTAL REMAINS OF 21 DECEASED PERSONS”

It has been our endeavour to assist in the earliest repatriation of mortal remains of Indian nationals who die in Kuwait.   As cremation facilities are not permitted in Kuwait, it becomes necessary that many bodies are airlifted to India for final rites.   Last year, 533 Indian nationals died in Kuwait.

              During last three months (July-September 2014), there were 158 Indian deaths in Kuwait.  Mortal remains of 125 Indian nationals were airlifted to India. The remaining 33 were buried in Kuwait as per the wishes of their family members. From those sent to India, 104 were transported within 1 to 5 days of reporting the death to the Embassy (3 days being the average time taken for transportation of the mortal remains). 

              THE REPATRIATION OF MORTAL REMAINS OF 21 DECEASED PERSONS, however, took longer time, ranging from 6 to 25 days. Delays in 21 cases occurred as police investigations were required to be conducted in cases of suicides, murders and traffic accidents.  In some cases, local sponsors took time to complete formalities. Non-availability of flights and intervening holidays were among the other reasons contributing to delays in repatriation of mortal remains of Indian nationals from Kuwait. 

 

              Complete data of Indian nationals who have died in Kuwait since 1 July 2014 is available on the Embassy’s website.  

 

Simplification of Visa Procedures

To further enhance travel from Kuwait to India for business, tourism, medical treatment and study purposes etc., the Embassy has simplified its visa procedure for Kuwaiti nationals as well as expatriates living in Kuwait. The Embassy has issued 10,000 visas this year, as against 7,600 visas issued during the same period last year, representing 30% jump in grant of visas. 

2.        The Embassy has been issuing 5-year & 1-year business visa (multiple entry), 1-year medical visa (multiple entry) and 6-month tourist visas (multiple entry) for Kuwaiti nationals and expatriates resident in Kuwait so that they can visit India for business, tourism, medical treatment etc., as per their convenience. 

3.        Visa applicants may approach Embassy’s Passport and Visa Centres operated by Cox & Kings Global Services (CKGS) at 17 Floor, Behbahani Building, Sharq, Kuwait: Tel. No. 22440392 (e- mail: indiavisa.kuwait@ckgs.comor  Complex Kais Alghanim, 4 Floor, Mecca Street, in front of Annod Complex, Fahaheel, Kuwait: Tel. No. 22909229 ( e-mail:  indiavisa.kuwait@ckgs.com). 

4.        The Embassy will continue to accept visa applications directly in cases of emergency and for all diplomats/Special Passport holders.  For any visa related query, please contact at Tel. No. 22550600 Extn. 279 or call Mr. J.S. Dangi, Second Secretary (Consular) at Mobile No. 97229947.

Advisory - Passport and Visa applicants

            The Embassy has outsourced its passport and visa services to M/s Cox and Kings Global Services, Kuwait. The Company is operating through their offices in Sharq, Fahaheel and in Abbasiya (Jleeb Al Shuwaikh) since 3^rd August, 2014. For information and advantage of all service seekers, the Embassy would like to inform the following:

Beware of touts/agents-   All Indian nationals in Kuwait are advised not to be misled by touts hanging around any of the three outsourced centres in Kuwait for passport related services.  It is informed that rates for their services like charges for filling up various forms is quite high as compared to the very reasonable charges for value added services made available in the outsourced centres of the Embassy.   Applicants are also misled by these touts to provide documents which may not necessarily be required to be enclosed with the applications and thus fleecing them.   The rates for the value added services are displayed prominently in the outsourced centres for payment by service seekers.   For ready reference the rates are as follows.

Services	Fee (Kuwaiti Dinar) KD
SMS Service	0.400
Courier	1.250 for Indian passports 4.500 for Foreign passports
Photocopy Service	0.100 per page
Photo booth	2.750 for  6 Photos
Assisted Form Filling	1.000 for Indian Nationals 3.000 for Foreign Nationals
Internet Kiosk	1.000

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.  Beware of Bogus website fleecing applicants:   It has also come to the notice of the Embassy that some applicants applying for visa for India have been duped into filling visa online by some fake websites. eg: https://india-visas.com/index.php. They also accept online payment of fees from the applicants.   All visa applicants are advised to be very careful about it and requested to fill in their online visa applications by logging on to www.indianvisaonline.gov.in.  This is the only official site for this purpose from Government of India. All visa fees are compulsorily to be deposited in cash at the outsourced centres at Sharq and Fahaheel.   In cases of emergency, visa can also be obtained at the Embassy on the same day with applicable fees. They can contact the Visa Wing of the Embassy of India in Kuwait (Tel. No. 22530600 Extn. 279) or Manager CKGS office in Sharq  (Mob: 97928978)  for any doubt or clarification in the matter.

3.  Passport & visa services (timgings) at Sharq, Fahaheel and Abbasiya and visa services at Sharq and Fahaheel are available from 0800 hrs to 1200 hrs and again from 1600hrs to 2000 hrs Mondays to Thursdays.  To help the Indian community, who are not able to visit during any of the working days due to the working time/nature of duty, it may be noted that  on Fridays and Saturdays, these services are also available from 1600 hrs to 2000 hrs.

Floods in Jammu and Kashmir

 

            Due to the unprecedented floods in Jammu and Kashmir, a large number of people have died and many have been displaced; property and infrastructure worth crores of Rupees have been damaged.  Our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has appealed to all the citizens of India to donate generously to thePrime Minister’s National Relief Fund.  The full text of the appeal is as under:-

 

“My Fellow Citizens, You are all aware that unprecedented floods have caused havoc in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. A large number of persons have died or have been temporarily displaced. Property and infrastructure worth crores of rupees have been damaged. Our fellow countrymen in Jammu and Kashmir need our help at this critical hour to tide over the calamity and to rebuild their lives.

The Central Government is extending full cooperation to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in the measures for rescue, relief and rehabilitation besides, direct assistance to the affected people. I request all fellow countrymen to stand shoulder to shoulder with our distressed brothers and sisters in Jammu and Kashmir and be part of the national effort to support them in this hour of crisis.

I appeal to all citizens to donate generously to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.”

 

2.         Payment to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund can be made as per following details:-

 

(i)        Payment may be made by cheque/draft/cash in the name of “Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund” and sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, South Block, New Delhi-110011. As per directions on the subject the nationalized banks will not charge any commission on preparation of drafts favouring the PMNRF.

 

(ii)       Online Contributions can be made through the website of Prime Minister’s Office i.e. https://pmnrf.gov.in/payform.php

 

3.         Indian nationals in Kuwait may contribute generously for the distressed flood affected people in Jammu and Kashmir.  The contribution can also be sent to the Embassy by cheque / cash.  All donations made will be acknowledged.   

Indian Embassy welcomes  Jammu and Kashmir Flood Relief Fund

 

 Due to the unprecedented floods in Jammu and Kashmir, a large number of people have died and many have been displaced; property and infrastructure worth crores of Rupees have been damaged.  Our Hon’ble Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi, has appealed to all the citizens of India to donate generously to thePrime Minister’s National Relief Fund.  The full text of the appeal is as under:

“My Fellow Citizens, You are all aware that unprecedented floods have caused havoc in the state of Jammu and Kashmir. A large number of persons have died or have been temporarily displaced. Property and infrastructure worth crores of rupees have been damaged. Our fellow countrymen in Jammu and Kashmir need our help at this critical hour to tide over the calamity and to rebuild their lives.

The Central Government is extending full cooperation to the Government of Jammu and Kashmir in the measures for rescue, relief and rehabilitation besides, direct assistance to the affected people. I request all fellow countrymen to stand shoulder to shoulder with our distressed brothers and sisters in Jammu and Kashmir and be part of the national effort to support them in this hour of crisis.

I appeal to all citizens to donate generously to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund.”

Payment to the Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund can be made as per following details:-

(i)       Payment may be made by cheque/draft/cash in the name of “Prime Minister’s National Relief Fund” and sent to the Prime Minister’s Office, South Block, New Delhi-110011. As per directions on the subject the nationalized banks will not charge any commission on preparation of drafts favouring the PMNRF.

(ii)      Online Contributions can be made through the website of Prime Minister’s Office i.e.

https://pmnrf.gov.in/payform.php

 

Indian nationals in Kuwait may contribute generously for the distressed flood affected people in Jammu and Kashmir.  The contribution can also be sent to the Embassy by cheque / cash.  All donations made will be acknowledged.  

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HOLIDAY NOTICE

       

        The Embassy of India will remain closed on 7^th September, 2014 Sunday, on account of ONAM.

 

        However, needed/emergency services relating to Consular, Visa and Labour wings would be available to the visiting service seekers.

NINTH SUMMER CULTURAL FESTIVAL

The Embassy is taking part in the 9^th Summer Cultural Festival from 24 August to 4 September 2014 at the Kuwait National Museum (opposite Kuwait National Library on Arabian Gulf Street) being organized under the auspices of Kuwait National Museum and the National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) of the State of Kuwait. The participation of the Embassy in the above festival signifies cultural cooperation between the two countries.

 

The Embassy will exhibit photographs showcasing arts and cultural heritage of India at Kuwait National Musuem. The opening ceremony of the exhibition is on 24 August 2014 at 10.00 AM.  There will be a live dance performance by Thrissur Association of Kuwait on the inaugural day as well as daily non-commercial screening of famous Bollywood films (Chennai Express, Agent Vinod, Talash, Ek Tha Tiger and Three idiots) from 25 August 2014 onwards. The timings for screening of the above films would be from 5 P.M to 8 P.M in the evening on all days mentioned above at the auditorium of the Kuwait National Musuem.

 

The timings of the cultural exhibition are from 8.30 A.M. to 12.30 P.M. and again from 4.30 P.M. to 8.30 P.M during the above period.

The entry to the Exhibition as well as Films is free.

   

India Development Foundation

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OPEN HOUSE FOR CONSULAR SERVICES

Celebration of India’s 68^th Independence Day

 

          On the occasion of the Independence Day of India, a Flag Hoisting Ceremony will take place at the Embassy of India premises at Diplomatic Enclave, Arabian Gulf Street on Friday, 15 August 2014, at 0800 hours. 

2.      After the flag hoisting, Ambassador will read out the message of Hon’ble President of India, followed by a short cultural function/singing of patriotic songs. 

3.      All Indian nationals are most cordially invited to attend the function.  Refreshment/tea/juice etc. will be served.

Updated Information About The Death of Indian Nationals Starting from 1/7/2014

Beginning 1 July 2014, the Embassy has been providing, on a daily basis, updated information about the death of Indian nationals in Kuwait on its website.  Details offered are: name of the deceased, date of death, date of intimation of death to the Embassy, date of registration of death in the Embassy, nature/cause of death, mode of disposal of mortal remains (local burial or flight number, destination and date of flight for those repatriated to India).

2.              During July 2014, the Embassy registered 51 deaths of Indian nationals in Kuwait.  Out of these, natural deaths registered were 31, whereas unnatural deaths were 20.  While mortal remains of 44 persons were transported to India, 7 were buried in Kuwait.  The Embassy has been extending all possible help in completion of formalities for early transportation of the mortal remains of Indians to India.  The procedure followed is as follows:

i)                    Intimation of death:  On intimation of death of an Indian national either by the employer or the relatives of the deceased, the Embassy guides the informant on the procedural requirements for: (a) burial of mortal remains in Kuwait, or (b) repatriation of the mortal remains to India, depending on the wishes of the family members.  An authority letter is issued in the favour of the informant for collection of death certificate and police report from the local authorities; 

ii)    Registration of death in the Embassy:  Once the death certificate issued by the local authorities is received by the informant, it has to be endorsed by the Foreign Ministry, translated into English and submitted to the Embassy along with the passport of the deceased.  The Embassy then issues a death certificate.

 

iii)   Burial of mortal remains:  The local authorities allow for burial of mortal remains of Muslims and Non-Muslims in Kuwait.  After receiving written consent of the family members of the deceased, the Embassy issues an authority letter to be submitted to the local authorities.  For the burials of seven Indian nationals done during July 2014, the average time taken from intimation of death and burial was two days.

 

iv)   Transportation of mortal remains to India:  The family members or the employer approaches the airline for issue of an airway bill for transportation of mortal remains to India.  On the day of transportation, the mortal remains are sealed in a wooden coffin in Sabah Hospital in the presence of a medical officer, representative of the Embassy and relatives and friends of the deceased.  The coffin is then transported to India.  For the transportation of mortal remains of 44 Indian nationals to India during July 2014, the average time taken from intimation of death and transportation of the coffin to India was four days.  There was one case of destitute Indian national, whose mortal remains were transported to India by the Embassy from ICWF. 

 

v)    Natural Deaths:  The number of natural deaths registered with the Embassy during July 2014 was 31.  The average time taken from intimation of death and transportation of the coffin to India was three days.

vi)   Unnatural Deaths:  The number of unnatural deaths registered with the Embassy during July 2014 was 20.  The average time taken from intimation of death and transportation of the coffin to India was four days.

 

3.              Nodal persons dealing with the death cases in the Embassy are:

a)    Mr. Deepak Seth, Local staff, Mobile No. 66565703; and

b)    Mr. Shakeel Ahmed, Local staff, Mobile No. 99793382

Indian Language Skills in Embassy of India, Kuwait (other than Hindi / English)

To assist the distressed Indian nationals in Kuwait, the Embassy has drawn up a list of officials who can be accessed for help in different Indian languages besides Hindi and English. The list of such officials with their contact details is placed below. Members of Indian community are requested to make use of this initiative of the Embassy since one Kannada knowing official has recently been hired to work in the Community Welfare Section. Indian Language Skills in Embassy of India. Kuwait (other than Hindi/English) i)         Malayalam S.No. Name Designation Telephone No. 1 Shri Balram Kumar Upadhyay Counsellor (Coordination) 22533125 Mob:97224029 2 Smt. Sunila Krishnan Attache (Labour – II) 22530409 Mob: 97264247 3 Smt. Dhanya Nair Local Clerk Mob: 65689503 4 Shri M. Sudheendran Local Clerk Mob: 99183576 5 Shri Mujib Kollorath Local Clerk Mob: 97610246 6 Shri Justin James Local Clerk Mob: 94476852   ii)        Telugu S.No. Name Designation Telephone No. 1 Smt. Thriveni Reddy Local Clerk Mob: 97108538 2 Smt. Deena Ratnam Local Clerk Mob: 66560773 3 Shri K.S.S. Naidu Local Clerk Mob: 66442433 iii)       Tamil S.No. Name Designation Telephone No. 1 Smt. Sunila Krishnan Attache ( Labour – II) 22530409 Mob: 97264247 2 Shri Sajan Varghese Local Clerk 22550725 Mob: 99896053 iv)       Bengali / Assamese / Oriya S.No. Name Designation Telephone No. 1 Shri Shubashis Goldar Deputy Chief of Mission 22510891 Mob: 97229942 2 Shri Kalidas Roy Attache (Passport) Mob: 97295728 v)        Kannada S.No. Name Designation Telephone No. 1. Ms. Sarita Shetty Local clerk Mob. 97983059

 

Grant of Indian citizenship to a foreign national married to an Indian national

Some Indians have enquired about the grant of Indian citizenship to a foreign national married to an Indian national. A foreign national married to an Indian national is eligible for the following:

1.  Person of Indian Origin(PIO CARD):

Any person who is spouse of a citizen of India or a Person of Indian Originas mentioned below:

i.                    who at any time held an Indian Passport; or 

ii.           he/she or either of his/her parents or grandparents or great grandparents was born in an permanently resident in India as defined in the Government of India Act, 1935 and other territories that became part of India thereafter provided neither was at any time a citizen of any country as may be specified by Central Government from time to time.

is entitled for a PIO Card. The card allows visa free travel to India and gives several benefits to the card holder. A PIO Card is valid for 15 years. The scheme is broad-based, covers up to four generations and also the foreign spouse of a citizen of India or a PIO.

2.  Indian Citizenship by Registration (Section 5(1)(C))

Indian Citizenship by registration can be acquired under Section 5(1)(C) by a person, who is married to a citizen of India and who are ordinarily resident in India for seven years before making application.

• In computing the period of seven years, any broken period of residence shall be included in the period specified therein.

3.  Indian Citizenship by Registration (Section 5(1)(d))

Minor children of a person who is Indian citizen can register for Indian Citizenship under section 5(1)(d).

• Application for registration of birth of his minor child born outside India to a person who is citizen of India has to be submitted at the Embassy within one year of the birth, for which parents have to submit a declaration that the child does not hold passport of another country. In cases where the request for registration of birth of the child is made after expiry of one year of the birth of the child, approval from Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi is required and applicant has to apply online for registration of the birth of the child. Online application can be made at the following link:

https://indiancitizenshiponline.nic.in/ic_form_public.aspx

4.  Indian Citizenship by Registration for persons of full age:

A Person of full age and capacity who, or either of his/her parents was earlier citizen of Independent India, and residing in India for one year immediately before making application for registration.

• A Person of full age and capacity who has been registered as an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) for five years and who has been residing in India for one year before making application for application of registration.

Clarification: A person shall be deemed to be a Person of Indian origin if he, or either of his parents, was born in undivided India or in such other territory which became part of India after the 15th August, 1947.