Embassy of India
Doha
Press Release
Embassy Open House – 31 August, 2016
The monthly Open House to address urgent consular and labour issues/cases of Indian nationals in the State of Qatar was held at the Embassy on 31 August, 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. Santosh Neelakantan, General Secretary 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 139 and 94, respectively.
During the current year, the Labour and Community Welfare Section of the Embassy has received a total of 2672 complaints so far. The number of complaints received during 2015 was 4132.
The number of deaths registered in the Embassy this year [till 30 August, 2016] is 181. 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 44 Emergency Certificates (ECs) in August, 2016. The Embassy also issued 16 air tickets to Indian nationals in distress for their return to India in August, 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. The assistance given by the ICBF to Indian nationals during August, 2016 also includes 6 air tickets for destitute workers.
ICBF periodically organizes free Medical Camp for the low-paid workers of all nationalities, with the support of the authorities concerned in Qatar, Embassy of India, Doha and other partners. ICBF’s next Medical Camp is scheduled to be held at the premises of the Medical Commission at Abu Hamour from 0730 hours to 1330 hours on Friday, 23 September, 2016. The Medical Camp is being organized in collaboration with Indian Doctors Club and Wellcare Pharmacy. Any urgent consular and labour issues/cases of Indian nationals may also be conveyed to Embassy officials at the Medical Camp.
31 August, 2016
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