Govt to establish Overseas Counselling Centres for women

New Delhi, Mar 8: The Government proposes to open Special Counselling Centres shortly in the US, Malaysia and the Gulf countries to extend assistance to Indian women married to expatriates, the Lok Sabha was informed today (Mar 8, 2006).

In a written reply, Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said a proposal to establish Overseas Centres was under examinaiton in consultation with the finance minister.

''The Centres will inter alia extend legal, medical and counselling services,'' he added.

Extradition treaties with countries: Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahamed said so far, the Indian government had concluded Extradition Treaties with as many as 22 countries including France, Canada, USA, UK, Russia, UAE and Uzbekistan.

There existed an extradition arrangement with Austraila, Fiji, Italy, Sri Lanka, Sweden and Thailand among others, the minister added.

Global Navigational Satellite System: Minister of State in the Prime Minister's Office Prithviraj Chavan said India and Russia had signed agreement for joint use of space-based Global Navigational Setellite Sytem (GLONASS).

UNI