India may revise outpass fees for amnesty seekers

The Indian government looks set to revise the proposed documentation charges for those seeking to leave the UAE under a two-month amnesty, after Khaleej Times revealed the disparity with four other embassies. As reported on Friday, the Indian government had drawn flak from welfare groups of Indian expatriates in relation to the fees announced for processing the emergency travel documents called an ‘outpass’. While the Pakistan, Philippines and Sri Lankan consulates had said they were issuing outpasses for free, and the Bangladesh Consulate charging just Dh20, the Indian applicants could be seen paying up to Dh124. The Indian Ministries for Overseas Indian Affairs and External Affairs are now working on a new plan to assist the poorest of its citizens seeking the UAE’s two-month visa amnesty, which begins on Tuesday. Indian Ambassador to the UAE M.K. Lokesh said he had already written to both the ministries to consider revising the fees for amnesty seekers: “I’d also requested for waiving of the ICWF fee from them soon after the amnesty was announced. I’m waiting for the response,” he told Khaleej Times on Monday. Speaking over the phone, Vayalar Ravi, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs, said he was aware of the issue: “We are in touch with the embassy and we are doing our best to help those seeking amnesty. We will announce a good relief for them within a couple of days.” The ambassador, who convened a meeting with the representatives of airline officials on Monday, said the Indian missions and airlines are confident in the smooth handling of the return of those availing the pardon and he earlier mentioned his request to airlines asking for special consideration to be offered to amnesty seekers. But he added that the majority of Indians who had returned home during the previous amnesty had flown on their own, with more than 40,000 outpasses issued by the Indian missions during the 2007 amnesty. “We had provided some 120 tickets to the most deserving people. I was told that the Andhra Pradesh government also provided 1,200 tickets. We are not sure about the number of people coming forward (for availing amnesty) yet. As more and more people come forward, we will set in motion our next plans,” Lokesh said. BLS International’s Regional Head for Middle East, Andrew Gonsalves, said the 14 centres of BLS in the UAE were prepared to meet the rush of applicants for the amnesty procedure: “Depending on the need, we are ready to extend the working hours and put in more people for assisting them. We will also consider opening the centres on Fridays if it is necessary,” he said. Police urge illegals to use amnesty Meanwhile, Dubai Police have urged illegal residents to use the two-month amnesty period that begins today, warning those who do not will face legal action. Brigadier Khalil Ibrahim Al Mansouri, Director of the General Department of Criminal Investigation of Dubai Police, said that all violators should approach residency officials to facilitate their travel and to leave the country between December 4 and February 3 to avoid penalties. He revealed that the Dubai Police had arrested 22,400 illegal residents from October 2011 to October this year. AL Mansouri warned about the dangerous impact of hiring illegal workers, as many end up involved in crimes and the police would find difficulties in finding them due to lack of information. He called on the public to cooperate with the police and inform them about any illegal residents. He said that some absconding workers who were deported made their way back to the UAE again, and police could not trace them because they forged their names and a majority of people who made complaints against them could only give their descriptions. Brig Al Mansouri urged citizens to abide by police rules by making sure that workers are residing legally in the UAE, with particular focus on farms. He reached out to the heads of the farming community and asked for their cooperation in informing police about any violators they might come across, adding that people who harbour these criminals, are in turn aiding them in their illegal activities. Source : Khaleejtimes.com - Sajila Saseendran and Amira Agarib / 4 December 2012