Remittances by Non Resident Indians (NRIs)
Remittances by Non Resident Indians
(NRIs)
According to the World Bank Migration and Remittances Factbook, 2016, India is the top recipient of remittances in the world for the year 2015.
As per information received from the Reserve Bank of India, the amount of Remittances (i.e., private transfers) to India in last two years is as under:
|
Year
|
Amount (US $ Billion)
|
|
2014 – 15
|
69.6
|
|
2014-15
|
69.8
|
Department of Industrial Policy & Promotion formulates
FDI policy across various sectors, including investments from Non Resident
Indians (NRIs). FDI policy covers remittances for investment in various
sectors. As per information received from DIPP to facilitate investment by Non Resident Indians /Persons of Indian
Origin (PIOs) extant FDI policy was amended in November 2015 to provide
following:
a) Investment made
by NRIs, PIOs and OCIs under Schedule 4 of FEMA (Transfer or Issue of Security
by Persons Resident Outside India) Regulations on non-repatriation basis is
deemed to be domestic investment at par with the investment made by residents.
b) The special
dispensation of NRIs is also available to companies, trusts and partnership
firms, which are incorporated outside India and are owned and controlled by
NRIs.
c) NRIs have
special dispensation for investment in Construction development and Civil
Aviation sector.
The Minister of State for the external Affairs Gen. Dr. V.
K. Singh (Retd.) provided this information in reply to a question in Lok Sabha
today.
*****
Fraudulent Recruitment Agencies
In a Statement is laid on the table of the Lok Sabha today
the Minister for external affairs Shrimati Sushma Swaraj informed the house
that as per information made available to this Ministry by the Indian Missions
/ Posts in ten Middle East countries, including six GCC countries, there is no
general pattern to indicate an increase in cases of torture/exploitation of
Indian workers. Details of complaints received during the last three years are
at Annexure I. Most of these complaints were addressed by the Indian Missions
by taking them up with the concerned foreign authorities. Complaints pertaining
to employment were taken up by the Indian Missions with the concerned foreign
employer / Labour Department officials in that country.
Government has been writing to all State Governments to take
action against fraudulent and illegal recruitment agents, from time to
time. Whenever a complaint is received
against any unregistered recruiting agent, the complaint is forwarded to
Secretary (Home) of the concerned State Government with a copy to DGP of the
State and Superintendent of Police in that District to take immediate action
against such unscrupulous agents under provisions of IPC and Emigration Act
1983. As law and order is a State subject, the local police are authorized to
take action on its own, if a FIR is lodged by the complainant or his
relative(s). Whenever prosecution sanction is required to be issued, on the
basis of a request, such sanction is immediately granted. Details of last 3
years are at Annexure II.
Government of India has signed MoUs with 6 Gulf countries,
Jordan and Malaysia as per details given at Annexure III. The broad principles covered in the MoUs
include:
(i) Declaration
of mutual intent to enhance employment opportunities and for bilateral
cooperation in protection and welfare of workers.
(ii) The host
country to take measures for protection and welfare of the workers in organized
sector.
(iii) Statement of
the broad procedure that the foreign employer shall follow to recruit Indian
workers.
(iv) The
recruitment and terms of employment to be in conformity with the laws of both
the countries.
(v) Constitution
of Joint Working Groups which would meet regularly to find solutions to
bilateral labour problems.
These MOUs are renewed/signed afresh, from time to time,
during which process any modifications are duly considered for inclusion.
The
Government of India has set up Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) in all the
Indian Missions / consulates abroad to meet contingency expenditure incurred by
them for carrying out various welfare activities for overseas Indian citizens
who are in distress. The objectives of the ICWF include:
(i) Boarding and
lodging for distressed Overseas Indians in need;
(ii) Extending
emergency medical care to the Overseas Indians in need;
(iii) Providing air
passage to stranded Overseas Indians in need;
(iv) Providing
initial legal assistance to the Overseas Indians in deserving cases;
(v) Expenditure on
incidentals and for airlifting the mortal remains to India or local cremation/burial
of the deceased Overseas Indians in such cases where the sponsor is unable or
unwilling to do so as per the contract and the family is unable to meet the
cost;
(vi) roviding for
the payment of penalties in respect of Indian nationals for illegal stay in the
host country, where, prima facie the worker is not at fault;
(vii) Providing the
payment of small fines / penalties for the release of Indian nationals in
jails/ detention centres;
Government of India have also started an on-line programme ‘Madad’
which includes a helpline for lodging the grievances of the emigrants, which
are attended to on priority basis.
The Ministry has set up a 24X7 Helpline ‘Overseas Workers
Resource Centre (OWRC)’ in Gurgaon, Haryana which provides information and guidance
on all matters and problems pertaining to overseas employment of Indian
nationals. Indian Workers Resource
Centre (IWRC) set up in Dubai by Embassy of India, in UAE, provides guidance
and counseling on all matters pertaining to overseas Indian workers in UAE.
Shelter homes for distressed Indian nationals; have been set
up in Malaysia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. These shelter homes provide free boarding and
lodging to overseas Indians in distress pending their repatriation.
Our Embassies in Gulf countries viz. UAE, Saudi Arabia,
Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman and Qatar have an Open House on all working days
providing direct access to workers to relevant Embassy officials to convey
their grievances. Open Houses are also conducted with the presence of our
Ambassadors on a regular basis in all these Missions. Other measures are also in place to enable
Indian workers in Gulf countries to contact respective Indian Embassies in
distress and emergency situations such as 24X7 helplines, toll-free helplines
and mobile applications.
ANNEXURE I
Details provided by the Indian Embassies in ten countries,
including six in GCC countries in last three years.
NUMBERS OF LABOUR COMPLAINTS
|
No.
|
Name of Mission
|
2013
|
2014
|
2015
|
2016
(Feb 2016)
|
|
1.
|
Bahrain(*)
|
820 (18)
|
821(15)
|
833(11)
|
92(1)
|
|
2.
|
Iraq
|
-
|
18
|
301
|
50
|
|
3.
|
Jordan
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
03
|
Nil
|
|
4.
|
Kuwait
|
2443
|
3033
|
3493
|
414**
|
|
5.
|
Lebanon
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
|
6.
|
Qatar
|
3965
|
3943
|
4132
|
787#
|
|
7.
|
Oman
|
1748
|
1358
|
1097
|
330
|
|
8
|
UAE
|
1104
|
1718
|
1936
|
383
|
|
9.
|
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
|
2866
|
3732
|
2921
|
630
|
|
10.
|
Sudan
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
Nil
|
*
denotes cases of physical abuse / torture
**Upto January, 2016.
# Upto March 7, 2016.
ANNEXURE
II
COMPLAINTS AGAINST
FRAUDULENT AND ILLEGAL RECRUITING AGENTS DURING LAST THREE YEARS
|
Year
|
No. of complaints
|
Cases referred to State Govt.
/POE for action
|
Prose-cution
Sanction sought
|
Prose-cution sanction issued
|
|
2013
|
272
|
261
|
05
|
05
|
|
2014
|
170
|
153
|
08
|
08
|
|
2015
|
195
|
101
|
11
|
11
|
|
2016 (Upto
29.2.2016)
|
15
|
35
|
0
|
0
|
ANNEXURE
III
List of countries with whom the Government of India has
signed bilateral Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) regarding matters concerning
overseas employment of ECR category workers.
|
S.No
|
Country
|
Date
|
|
1.
|
UAE
|
December
2006 &
November
2007
|
|
2.
|
Qatar
|
April 2007
|
|
3.
|
Kuwait
|
April 2007
|
|
4.
|
Oman
|
November
2008
|
|
5.
|
Malaysia
|
January
2009
|
|
6
|
Bahrain
|
June 2009
|
|
7.
|
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
( for Domestic Sector Workers only)
|
January
2014
|
|
8.
|
Jordan
|
1980
|
*****
Merger of Ministries
The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) has been
merged with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). Administrative arrangements
of the merger are currently underway.
A decision was taken to merge the two Ministries to bring
better synergy for realising the objectives of bringing Indian Diaspora closer
to India. Most policies, programmes, schemes and initiatives of MOIA were being
implemented through MEA and Indian Missions/Consulates abroad. Matters pertaining
to Indian nationals abroad, their welfare and protection are also taken up by
MEA and the Indian Missions abroad. MEA handling the Overseas Indian Affairs
would bring in more efficiency in handling matters related to Indian Diaspora.
The merger is also in accordance with the Government’s objective of maximum
governance with minimum government.
The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs was entrusted all
matters relating to overseas Indians, comprising Persons of Indian Origin
(PIOs) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), excluding matters specifically allotted
to other Departments.
MOIA had been handling issues described in part (c) since
2004. However, the policies, programmes and initiatives, schemes of MOIA could
not be implemented efficiently, due to MOIA’s dependence on MEA and Indian
Missions abroad, and duplication in the functions of the two Ministries. MOIA
was also a small Ministry which did not have the institutional mechanisms to
attain the objectives that it was set up for.
One representation was received from the Government of
Kerala about the decision to merge MOIA with MEA. Our response to the Kerala
State Government stated that the decision to merge the two Ministries was taken
to further deepen our engagement with our Diaspora, to synergize our resources
and to enhance the efficiency with which we address issues pertaining to the
Indian Community abroad.
The Minister of State for the external Affairs Gen. Dr. V.
K. Singh (Retd.) provided this information in reply to a question in Lok Sabha
today.
*****
New Route for Mansarovar
Ministry of External Affairs organizes the Kailash
Manasarovar Yatra in cooperation with the State Governments of Uttarakhand,
Delhi, and Sikkim along with Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). The Kumaon
Mandal Vikas Nigam Limited (KMVN), and Sikkim Tourism Development Cooperation
(STDC) make logistical arrangements including accommodation, food, and
transport on the Indian side for the Yatra. Since 1981 the Yatra is organized
in cooperation with the Government of China which provides logistical
facilities on the Tibet side.
A new route via Nathu La Pass in Sikkim has become
operational in 2015.
In 2015 a total of 216 Yatris had travelled in five batches
on the new route via Nathu La for this Yatra. This year 7 batches are planned
of 50 Yatris each.
Government of India takes various steps to facilitate the
Yatra which include a dedicated website to further simplify and expedite the
registration and selection process, communication with Yatris, and a helpline
based on Interactive Voice Response System which provides information in Hindi
and English to the Yatris. Medical tests are also conducted for Yatris to
ensure their fitness for high altitude endurance. Provision for air-lift of
Yatris by helicopter is also available in coordination with concerned agencies
in case of emergency. One Liaison Officer is appointed for each batch. The
Liaison Officer stays in touch with Indian and Chinese authorities concerned
and seeks assistance in case of any emergency for the safety and well-being of
Yatris. The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) provides security cover and basic
medical assistance to Yatris on the Indian side. Facilities are upgraded on a
continuous basis along the entire route of the Yatra.
The Minister of State for the external Affairs Gen. Dr. V.
K. Singh (Retd.) provided this information in reply to a question in Lok Sabha
today.
*****
Social Security Agreements
In a Statement is laid on the table of the Lok Sabha today
the Minister for external affairs Shrimati Sushma Swaraj informed that as on
date, India has signed Social Security Agreements (SSAs) with 18 countries.
They are Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Denmark, Luxembourg, France, South
Korea, Netherlands, Hungary, Finland, Sweden, Czech Republic, Norway, Canada,
Japan, Austria, Portugal and Australia.
Bilateral social security agreements protect the interests
of Indian professionals, skilled workers working abroad by providing the
following benefits:
• Avoiding
making double social security contributions: Once an SSA is signed between
India and a foreign country, it exempts the Indian worker (working on short
term contracts abroad) from making a social security contribution in that
foreign country. This exemption is provided only if the Indian worker is
covered under the social security system of India and continues to pay his/her
contribution during the period of overseas contract.
• Easy
remittance of benefits (Exportability): An SSA between India and a foreign
country enables the Indian worker/professional to remit his/her accumulated
social security contribution made in a foreign country, in case of relocation
to India/third country.
• Aggregating
the contribution periods (in two countries) to prevent loss of benefits
(Totalization): An SSA allows aggregating residency periods of social security
contribution made by the Indian worker / professional in India and the foreign
country to qualify for retirement benefits.
• All the SSAs
are on reciprocal basis. Six proposals are in the pipeline i.e. with Spain,
Thailand, Sri Lanka, Russia, Cyprus and USA.
•
*****
Visit of Nepalese PM to India
The Prime Minister of Nepal, Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli paid a
State visit to India from 19 to 24 February 2016. During the visit, he met with
Hon’ble Rashtrapatiji, Vice President and Prime Minister and other senior GoI
dignitaries. Wide ranging discussions on diverse aspects of the bilateral
relations were held during the visit. Prime Minister Oli also visited the Tehri
hydropower project, post earthquake reconstruction sites in Bhuj, and held
meetings in Mumbai. The following bilateral documents were signed:
• MoU on
utilization of US$ 250 million Grant component of GOI’s Assistance package for
Post-earthquake reconstruction assistance.
• MoU on
strengthening of road infrastructure in the Terai area of Nepal.
• MoU between
Nepal Academy of Music and Drama and Sangeet Natak Akademi.
• Letters of
Exchange on Transit Routes: (i) Transit between Nepal and Bangladesh through
Kakarbitta-Banglabandh corridor (ii) Operationalization of Vishakhapatnam Port.
• Letters of
Exchange on Rail Transport: (i) Rail transport to/from Vishakhapatnam (ii) Rail
transit facility through Singhabad for Nepal’s Trade with and through
Bangladesh
Further, the Muzaffarpur-Dhalkebar transmission line was
inaugurated. The establishment of an Eminent Persons Group (EPG) comprising four
members from each country was announced.
After the adoption of the Nepalese Constitution on 20
September, 2015, two Constitutional amendments were passed by the Parliament of
Nepal on 23 January 2016. Government of India regarded them as positive developments
and hoped that other outstanding issues would also be addressed similarly in a
constructive spirit. Following the suspension of the agitation at the border
posts by the Madhes-based parties in early February 2016, trade flow through
the Raxaul Birgunj crossing has commenced.
India and Nepal have maintained regular contacts, including
at high political level. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs,
Mr. Kamal Thapa, visited India twice (17–19 October 2015 and from 30 November–2
December 2015) followed by visit of the Minister of Finance Mr. Bishnu Poudel
(7–9 February 2016) and the State visit of Prime Minister Mr. K.P. Sharma Oli
(from 19–24 February 2016). India has always stood for peace, stability and
prosperity in Nepal and will continue to extend all assistance in accordance
with the aspirations of the people of Nepal for socio–economic development of
the country.
The entire gamut of bilateral relations, including security
issues, was reviewed during Prime Minister Oli’s visit. The Government of India
continues to take all necessary measures to safeguard Indian interests in
Nepal.
The Minister of State for the external Affairs Gen. Dr. V.
K. Singh (Retd.) provided this information in reply to a question in Lok Sabha
today.
*****
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