More steps to benefit Indians working abroad

The Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry has stepped up its efforts to promote the Mahatma Gandhi Pravasi Suraksha Yojana (MGPSY) aimed at benefiting Indians working abroad.
The government has sanctioned awareness-cum-enrolment camps in the UAE and also stepped up media campaigns for creating such awareness, Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi told the Rajya Sabha today.
"Indian Missions in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries are also being involved for creating awareness on MGPSY," he said in reply to question.
He said government has prepared information, education and communication materials in six languages -- Hindi, Malayalam, Bengali, Tamil, Punjabi and Telugu -- which are commonly spoken by emigrant Indian workers to create awareness about MGPSY.

He said IEC material has been made available to service providers, protector of emigrants and Indian missions in UAE, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.
However, the minister maintained that MGPSY being a voluntary scheme, 90 persons have subscribed to it from April 2012 till January 28 this year.
Ravi said the government is alert to respond promptly to the requests and appeals by Indian citizens in distress.
Provisions under the Indian Community Welfare Fund for payment of small fines and penalties for the release of Indian nationals in detention centres too are being utilised.