Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has expressed dissatisfaction at the performance of Indian embassies, particularly in the Gulf. Many ambassadors look at Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) as if they are trouble-makers and often refuse quick help in times of emergency, he has said.
The Chief Minister, speaking after opening the valedictory session of the Kerala Pravasi Sanghom’s State conference here on Saturday, said the embassy offices which were supposed to create a feeling of family for the expatriates fell short of the objective. Many embassy staff were uncaring and lacked knowledge of NRIs’ problems.
The Centre was apathetic in addressing development-related demands raised by the Pravasi communities and the State government. “Last year, the expatriate community brought home ₹4.48 lakh crore, according to World Bank figures,” he said. “It was around 25% of the total revenue generated in the country from various sources. Yet, the NRI community is not getting enough support from their motherland,” he said.
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Listing a number of projects ‘cold-shouldered’ by the Centre, Mr. Vijayan said the proposal to form a Pravasi Consortium for the welfare of Gulf returnees was one such initiative from Kerala.
Expatriate community members who excelled in various fields were honoured at the event.
The convention elected P.T. Kunhumuhammed and K.V. Abdul Khader, MLA, president and general secretary respectively of the sanghom. P. Saidalikkutty, R. Krishnapillai and A.C. Anandan are the new secretaries.
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