Ahmed lauds amnesty scheme of Gulf countries

Jaipur, Aug 8 (UNI) The amnesty scheme announced by the Gulf Countries to legalise the illegal immigrants has benefitted a large number of Indians working there.

Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed, who was here to review the progress of the construction of the new passport building, said about 10,000 Indians have been legalised by issuing passports and visa during the three-month Amnesty announced by the Saudi government.

He said other Gulf countries like UAE, Kuwait and Bahrain have also announced the amnesty scheme following its success.

The minister said there was a marked increase in the number of applications for the Haj this year. As against last year's number of 1.5 lakh applications, the Central Haj Committee has received 1.9 lakh applications for Haj this year against a quota of 1.10 lakh.

The Committee is making all possible efforts for the accommodation and other facilities for the Hajis considering the relocation and reconstruction work in progress in and around Mecca and Medina, he added.

Talking about the delay in issuing passports in the state, the minister said the major reason for the delay is in getting the Police Verification Reports (PVRs). He said though Rajasthan is a large state, the district passport cells were operational only in nine districts while people from the remaining 23 districts have to come to the regional passport office in Jaipur for all passports related works.

If district passport cells were opened in all district headquarters, the time in the processing of the passports could be reduced considerably, he added.

Mr Ahmed said he had taken up the matter with Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje and she assured the minister of all possible help in this direction.

UNI