Gulf businessman to raise NRI issues at Pravasi meet

DUBAI, Jan 4, 2011 (PTI): Leading Indian businessman in the Gulf region, Dr Ram Buxani, said he intends to raise some of the major concerns related to the NRI community in the region.

Prior to leaving for New Delhi, where he is scheduled to address the 9th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas on Saturday (January 8), Dr Buxani, who is President of International Traders (ME) Ltd, said he is thankful to the organisers for having a special Gulf Session during this NRI meet.

"I am keen to raise the issue of voting rights for NRIs which has been agreed upon in principle. However, there is a hesitation to implement," he said.

He said he is going to request that registration process may be left with Indian Missions abroad and voting can be exercised in person," he added.

According to him, NRIs live in a landless constituency, absolutely unrepresented in the law-making body. "There are over 20 million NRIs around the world. Let there be a minimum of four NRI seats in the Lok Sabha," he added.

He also added the government should consider a more liberal visa policy for Arab visitors, especially for business and tourism purposes, in order to create closeness in the historical ties between the Gulf countries and India.

News of likely passage of New Direct Taxes Code Bill has created lot of unrest among Gulf NRIs as their economic condition necessitates closer contact with the nation for social, educational and medical purposes.

"Our brethren in Western countries are covered by social security laws. We don't have such facilities in the Gulf countries. I strongly suggest Gulf resident Indians should be excluded from this law although it is advisable that clause 4 (1)b should be totally deleted," he added.