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PANJIM, MAY 2, 2004 � BY HERALD REPORTER
� In a bid to improve ties with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), the government is to convert its NRI Facilitation Centre into a full-fledged independent body with powers of its own.This body would have powers similar to those of its counterparts in other States, within the next few months.While the objective of the new proposed body will be the same as that of the present Centre � to assist NRIs � this body will have definite laid-down powers and will be able to formulate schemes on its own, where government permission in all likelihood will not be required, informed a senior official at the Centre.�The centre now has limited scope, and is fully guided by the government. It cannot formulate schemes on its own, and is short staffed as well,� he adds.In the present scenario, the Centre functions with a committee of three staff; the member secretary, who is also the managing director of EDC, the Chairman of the Centre and a nodal
officer from the home department who handles other charges as well.Besides, there are two staff members deputed from the EDC, of which one is part time. The staff are rounded off by a full time stenographer and peon.
�The planning for the new body is still at the premature stage. It has not been decided whether it will be a society or a corporation or an autonomous body. But we are trying to model it on the basis of the societies in Kerala and Tamil Nadu,� informs another official.In view of the large number of Keralites who have emigrated, the Government of Kerala decided to set up a �Non-resident Keralites Affairs Department�, which would ensure the welfare of these Non Resident Keralites, redress their grievances and safeguard their rights.This department deals with a number of issues including providing assistance to stranded Keralites, receiving complaints on illegal overseas recruitment agencies, taking inquiries on investment opportunities in Kerala and listening to the
problems faced by the non residents in the State government departments.
This department then set up a Non Resident Keralites Welfare Agency which plans and executes schemes with the assistance of the government supplemented by the expertise of the non residents, which will form a model for the State government, informed an official.
The Tamil Nadu government has set up an Overseas Manpower Corporation Ltd, whose main objective is to secure suitable overseas placement for the Indian professional, skilled workers and others who are desirous of securing jobs abroad.This corporation has established 35 district employment branches through out the State, and has a jobwise segregated computerised data bank with more than 15,000 registered job seekers. Among other benefits, the corporation has an accident and health insurance cover against a one time payment for five years. In the first step toward forming the independent body in Goa, a decision has been taken, in principle, to
change the nodal agency of the Goa NRI Facilitation Centre from the EDC to the Goa Tourism Development Corporation. The formal decision in this context is expected to take place next week.
However, before the shift can take place, certain obligations have to be fulfilled. �The government still has to re-imburse the EDC for the expenditure incurred,� says a senior bureaucrat.
Officials of both the EDC and the GTDC say that this shift is for the sake of convenience.
Says an official from GTDC, �A number of NRIs already visit the GTDC because of tourism.�
In addition, the centre is short staffed, and though adequate for day to day activities right now, is insufficient if the Centre wants to expand its activities. The three conventions held by the centre since its inception have required manpower drawn from elsewhere. The EDC itself is short-staffed, as many employees have availed of the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS)The NRI centre official adds, �The EDC is purely a
financial institution, while the GTDC is more equipped to organise conventions, and is already involved in tourism.�The shift to GTDC should take a month and a half. However, officials at the GTDC are tight-lipped about where this centre will be accommodated, and how the staff requirement will be managed as the formal order is not yet out.Once the shift is done, the plan to formulate a new independent body will be worked out in 3 months.
http://www.oherald.com/newherald/newsBRN.asp?qId=7671&qSec=BRN&qNType=R
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