India to assist NRIs jailed in the Gulf

The Indian government plans to make a database of imprisoned NRIs to facilitate aid.

The Indian government plans to make a database of its nationals imprisoned in various Gulf countries with a view to help them.

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Observing that there are no accurate statistics of Indians jailed in Gulf countries, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said the government will collect details of such nationals in each Gulf country and it will then see what help can be offered.

"The nature of the cases varies from one person to another. We shall make an in-depth study of all cases with the support of the concerned ministries and our embassies in the Gulf," he was quoted as saying in Gulf Daily News.

"We do not want to interfere with the laws of other countries, but would try to help our nationals in jail."

The Minister said serious efforts would also be made to get an accurate number of Indians living abroad, especially those living in the Gulf.

"The Indian Emigration Act will be amended to eliminate the exploitation of job-seekers by recruiting agencies (in India)," he said adding his first priority was to ensure the welfare of Indian workers in the Gulf.

A meeting of state ministers and our ambassadors in the Gulf will be held in New Delhi shortly to discuss the issues in detail, he said.

The minister said he would visit all Gulf countries to make an on-the-spot assessment of issues facing NRIs.