Press Release
Embassy of India
Doha
PRESS RELEASE
EMBASSY OPEN HOUSE – 30 JUNE, 2016
The monthly Open House to address urgent consular and labour issues/cases of Indian nationals in the State of Qatar was held by the Embassy at its new premises [Villa No. 86 & 90, Street No. 941, Al Eithra Street, Zone 63, Onaiza (PO Box No. 2788), Doha] on 30 June, 2016. Ambassador Sanjiv Arora, Deputy Chief of Mission R.K. Singh and other officials met all the complainants, discussed their problems and assured them that the Embassy would actively follow up their cases with the authorities concerned in Government of Qatar. Mr. Baby Kurien, Vice-President of the Indian Community Benevolent Forum (ICBF), an active community association working under the aegis of the Embassy for the welfare of Indian workers, also attended the Open House.
An Embassy team visited the Central Prison and Deportation Centre this week to enquire about the welfare of detainees from India. The total number of Indian nationals in the Central Prison and the Deportation Centre currently is 129 and 98, respectively.
During the current year, the Labour and Community Welfare Section of the Embassy has received a total of 2234 complaints so far. The number of complaints received during 2015 was 4132.
The number of deaths registered in the Embassy till June, 2016 is 141. The number of deaths registered during 2015 was 279. The same number of deaths were registered during 2014 also.
On the basis of requests received from Qatari authorities for travel documents for Indian nationals in the Deportation Centre, the Embassy has issued 34 Emergency Certificates (ECs) in June, 2016. The Embassy also issued 38 air tickets to Indian nationals in distress for their return to India in June, 2016.
Indian Community Benevolent Forum [ICBF] continues to help Indian workers through various welfare measures, including provision of air tickets, financial assistance and medical help.
During his official visit to Qatar on 4-5 June, 2016, the first engagement of Shri Narendra Modi, Hon’ble Prime Minister of India after reaching Doha on 4 June, 2016 was to interact with and address Indian workers, and share a meal with them at ICBF’s 25th Medical Camp organized with Indian Doctors’ Association and with the effort and cooperation of Government of Qatar, Msheireb Properties and Embassy of India at Msheireb Downtown Doha Project. The assistance given by the ICBF to Indian nationals during June, 2016 also includes 3 air tickets for destitute workers.
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