Saudi authorities absolve 20,000 Indians for returning home
A 90-day amnesty granted by the Saudi government will allow thousands of Indian workers, including several Keralites and Tamils, stranded in Saudi Arabia and overstayed their visas, to their homeland.
More than 20,000 Indian citizens had applied for return under the amnesty scheme. Several workers from Uttar Pradesh and Bihar are also making use of the scheme.
The Indian embassy in Saudi Arabia has appealed to all Indians staying illegally in that country make use of the amnesty scheme. This scheme is open in 21 locations, unlike the 2013 one which was limited to Riyadh and Jeddah alone.
Meanwhile, Anil Nautiyal, counselor (community welfare), Indian embassy, said the efforts by the media and social activists to urge workers to use the scheme were commendable. He said the Saudi government had set up an exclusive center in Riyadh to facilitate the return of Indian nationals. He lauded the special consideration given to Indian passport holders by the officials of the Saudi passport office.
He also praised the efforts of the social activists who supported the workers who approached the embassy seeking out passes.
Source: manoramaonline.com