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Dear Friends, During the recent official visit of Hon'ble Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs, Government of India, Mr. Jagdish Tytler, to Kuwait a Meeting of Coordination Committee of Indian Community was held on November 26, in the Indian Embassy Auditorium under the patronage of HE the Ambassador of India, Mr. Swaspawan Singh. At the time of interaction following issues pertaining to the Indian Community with particular emphasis on the issues directly relating to the Goan Community were raised. I would like to share with fellow Goans to follow suit whenever such opportunities arrise. Reproducing a summary of the issues raised herebelow:- 1- Immigration Clearance Requirement:- According to the Indian Mission in Kuwait, the status of the "Immigration Clearance Suspended Temporarily" can be changed to the status of "Immigration Clearance Not Required" only after completion of three years in Kuwait despite the fact the concerned NRIs have legal residence and valid contract with the employers. This has been creating considerable hardships to NRIs. Indian Embassy says that it is the Government of India regulation and they cannot do anything about it. If an NRI has to proceed on emergency he has to be back at the mercy of the Corrupt Immigration Officers in India. 2- Taking of Passport Copies at Dabolim-Goa Airport by the Immigration Officers. One fails to understand what empowers the Officers only at Goa Airport to take copies of the Passports while the same is not the case at other Airport exit points. 3- Goa University Degrees non-recognition:- The professional Degrees of Goa University are not recognized in Kuwait resulting in lots of hardships to the professional Engineers. Kuwait Society of Engineers does not register the Engineers of Goa University on the grounds that same is not a registered University as per their records. 4- Indian System of Education 10+2+3: Indian Degrees both Arts/Science/Commerce are not acceptable globally on the grounds that same is not compatible to International standards. We have some victims in Kuwait. The issue was taken up by the Community but still waiting for proper response from the concerned authorities. They say that it should be four years course and not three years. 5- Goan NRI City: Our repeated requests to the State Government to allocate a suitable land at a reasonable price to establish an NRI City by itself with all the infrastructure facilities covering the Residence/School/Playground/Supermarket/Library/Community Hall/Clinic/ etc etc is long overdue. 6- Airport Tax vis a vis Airport Facilities:- It has been observed that NRIs in particular are subscribing substantially to Airport Tax. One fails to understand why there is no corresponding improvement in the Airport facilities. Even the VIP lounges one can see lots of mosquitoes. The AC is more often out of order etc. 7- Indian Art Circle Premises: The Indian Community in Kuwait had a suitable premises to conduct their cultural programs and other exchanges. Since the premises are demolished a suitable alternate sight should be arranged through the good offices of the Indian Ambassador in Kuwait. It should be noted that it is the only Indian Embassy that can help the Community to this effect. We do solicit the intervention of Hon'ble Minister to this regard. 8- Dual Citizenship:- It is a big sigh of relief that this long pending issue at last has been resolved. We thank you Hon'ble Minister for the announcement made by you on the same day and also in other parts of the Gulf. We are given to understand by the Indian Embassy that they do not have any specific instructions with regards to the formalities to be completed to this regard. Intervention of Hon'ble Minister is required to expedite the issue so that NRIs can avail of the facility immediately. 9- Reservation of Seats in the Professional Colleges:- We request Hon'ble Minister to look into the long pending demand of the NRIs to reserve proper seats in IIT and other Professional Colleges for the NRIs. 10- NRI - Taxation:- We thank you Hon'ble Minister for your timely intervention and on this issue. We look forward to see that this issue is closed once for all as per your assurance. 11- Shifting of Dabolim Airport to Mopa: This will create enough hardships to the people of South Goa. The existing Airport is centrally located and very much convenient to each and every Goan. We made representation to this effect. We request Hon'ble Minister to intervene and restore this facility for the convenience of NRIs as well as in the Interest of Tourism as South Goan Hotel properties will stand to suffer. 12- Air India Flight to Goa via Dubai:- We requested Air India time and again to shift this flight from Wednesday to Thursday/Friday. The percentage of NRI Goan in the Government sector is very limited while the largest number is the private sector. The flight on Wednesday is not at all convenient. It will be both to the interest of Air India and that of NRI Goans to have flight changed to Thursday/Friday. Wilson Coelho Email: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
