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* * * 2007 ANNUAL GOANETTERS MEET - GOA * * *
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WHERE: Foodland Cafe - Miramar Residency - Miramar, Goa
WHEN: December 27, 2007 @ 4:30pm
More info:
http://lists.goanet.org/pipermail/goanet-goanet.org/2007-December/066098.html
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To: NRI Commissioner – Shri Eduardo Faleiro – Government of Goa.
Memorandum:-
With reference to the NRI (Goans) Seminar held on November 6, 2007 as a part of
your visit to Kuwait in order to evaluate the issues related to the NRIs, we
are pleased to forward a memorandum various issues raised by those affected:-
1- Indian Degrees (Graduation) conferred on successful students by Indian
Universities not recognized Internationally to avail full benefits.
The system of Education in India requires 10 + 2 + 3 to complete the Degree in
any of the faculties in India (Science/Arts/Commerce etc.). As per the
International criteria a student complete four years of graduation course to
obtain a Degree. As a result of this anomaly students holding Indian
graduation Degrees are unable to get full benefits of their educational
qualifications due to non recognition of International Educational
requirements. Therefore it is pertinent to find ways and means to be match the
International standards.
2- Goa University Degrees in Engineering:
The matter of recognition of Goa University Degrees in Engineering are still
not being recognized by Kuwait Society of Engineers as of date. Although it
was explained to the ordiance present at the seminar that two weeks ago India
had become a member of Washington Accord as a result of which all Engineering
Degrees would be automatically accredited by Society of Engineers worldwide.
There is no change in the status of recognition.
3- Attestation of Degrees and other documents in Goa:-
Please advise who is the authority in Goa who is empowered to attest the
Educational Degrees and such other related documents, including Driving
License, so as to guide those in need of such information.
4- ECNR requirements for Domestic and Unskilled Workers:-
At present we have a problem in the Middle East where even though Indians found
employment, job contracts, residence permit etc after having arrived at their
destination through official means. We are unable to understand why the Indian
Missions abroad refuses to process the applications for ECNR for subsequent
visits before the completion of three years continuous stay in that country.
Why should a national be penalized despite having left the country without any
hassles and having all the requirements in hand. This situation should
be taken up with the concerned authorities so as to ease the burden of such
destitute persons.
5- Registration of Births in India of Children born in Kuwait/Middle East:-
Those NRI Goans who want to register the Birth of their children in Goa are not
entertained by the concerned authorities. The reasons for this are not
explained either. The registration process may be simplified and advised so
that we can guide the Community with the formalities to be complied.
6- Non availability of Birth records in Goa:-
Whenever NRI Goans need their Birth records and the Registrar of Births is
approached they are unable to trace the records due to improper maintenance of
such important records. Since these records are of vital importance please
look into this matter to find a suitable solution.
7- Protection of the properties of NRIs affected by the Tenancy Laws:-
What are the relief benefits for NRI Goans whose properties are subject to
Tenancy Laws and what are the ways and means that are available for protection
of their ownership Rights. Many of the NRIs here are eager to know how to
protect their ownership Rights against Agricultural Tenancy, Residential
Tenancy, occupation of Evacuee Properties/Houses, Commercial (Shops/offices)
Tenancy/Lease, etc. The proposed Bill/Law, for Summary Trial of cases, is a
welcome proposal, but how is it going to afford relief to those NRI’s whose
properties are held under the Protection from Eviction of Tenants, Evacuees,
Leases, etc. It is requested to provide the provisions under which NRIs can
seek protection of their Rights in each of the said cases.
8- Domicile waiver:-
Students who pursue their studies in Goa after passing out STD X in the Middle
Eastern countries, do not fulfill the Domicile requirement which is of five
years thereby disqualifying them from seeking admission in professional courses
(Medical/Engineering/ITI etc.). Therefore, it would be in the interest of
NRI Goans to waive or lower it to a maximum of two years.
9- Insurance Scheme:-
NRI Goans of low income bracket are faced with innumerous problems due to lack
of proper insurance coverage. The matter needs to be studied and a suitable
Insurance Scheme be devised for the benefit of such persons who may be subject
to permanent disability, loss of limbs, terminal illness, death etc. Please
advise if there is any Insurance Scheme to cover the above cases, if not, it
is suggested that needful is done.
10- Employment Agency:-
The employment Agency in Goa has to devise ways and means to gain the
confidence of prospective candidates seeking employment abroad and as far as
possible assist them in whatever way possible to avoid private agencies
controlling the job market in the Middle East. Whenever such vacancies arise
there should be proper publicity so as to benefit maximum number of job
seekers. Such information should be made available to the Heads of Goan
Associations in the Middle East.
11- Up gradation of Indian Educational Institutions in the Middle East:-
The Indian Educational Institutions are granted licenses to impart education up
to STD XII. Under the circumstances students who are desirous to continue
their higher education have to seek admission elsewhere. It would be in the
interest of NRIs to have the Educational System upgraded at least to Graduation
level if not higher. As far as technical education is concerned there are no
such facilities available in the Middle East even though there are Institutions
who are desirous of imparting technical education such as electrician, welding,
air conditioning, carpentry, tailoring, computer, plumbing etc. which could
result in gainful employment in the country of their residence. Proper
approach should be made at the highest Government level for approval and
implementation of the same.
12- Direct Flights to Goa and Air Fares:-
The number of flights operating between Kuwait and Goa is reduced from three to
two after the merger of the Indian Airlines and Air India. The abrupt
cancellation of Air India direct flight has caused inconvenience to Goa bound
pax. Apart from this there is monopoly in controlling the fares which is not
in the interest of pax majority of them being of low income group. Even
though Air India and Indian Airlines have merged, they do not honor each others
tickets for travel. This has to be taken up and a suitable solution to be
arrived at for the benefit of the pax.
Other carriers namely Emirates, Gulf Air, Kuwait Airways, Qatar Airways who
have shown keen interest in flying to Goa from the various points in the Gulf
but somehow they are not able to get the routes due to the control exercised by
Indian Airlines and Air India who are the national carriers of India. Since
there is open sky policy in place, there should not be any hitch in granting
permission to these Airlines. By opening the skies for more and more airlines
the fares will be competitive, the flow of pax will be boosted and tourism
round the year will flourish for short weekends trips. Civil Aviation
authorities should be considerate towards the demands of other carriers.
13- Visa Issues for Goans holding Pakistani Nationality:-
Goans applying for visit visas to India are facing hardships and long delays in
obtaining the visas even though they have traveled to India several times. The
process should be simplified where persons of Goan Origin applying for such
visit visas. Should there be a need for guarantees Goans with Indian
Nationality should be authorized to vouch or to sign any document to expedite
the issue of visit visa particularly in such cases where one of the spouse is a
Goan holding valid Indian Passport.
The issues raised above are of vital importance and are mainly those that were
discussed at the Seminar. Please study the matter pertaining to each issue and
advise us suitably in order to convey to the Community at large in line with
the assurances given to them during your visit.
14- NRI City in Goa – Allocation of Land and Infrastructure
It has been our burning desire to build an NRI City in Goa with the help of the
Government of Goa. The proposed city to be self content by way of a Clinic,
Supermarket, Library, Gymnasium, Park, Kindergarten School, etc. It will create
gainful employment to several people besides practicing trade like plumbing,
electrical, car/scooter maintenance garage, etc. The proposed city will have
uniformity in various ways and maintain Goan architecture. The allotment of
the plots to be basically to those needy Goans belonging to low and middle
income groups. We had made several approaches in the past but to no avail. The
project to be managed by dedicated and honest Gulf retirees by forming a
Cooperative Society. .
Looking forward for your response at your earliest convenience.
Yours in service of the Community
Wilson Coelho
President
Goan Welfare Society - Kuwait
_________________________________________________________________
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EXPRESSIONS - 2007 Christmas Hamper
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