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| Domnic Fernandes continues (Part III) his reminiscence of |
| Mapusa of the 1950s |
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| http://www.goanet.org/index.php?name=News&file=article&sid=426 |
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STATEMENT BY EDUARDO FALEIRO, COMMISSIONER FOR NRI
AFFAIRS AT HIS PRESS BRIEFING ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 12, 2006.
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I was appointed as Commissioner for NRI Affairs about
a month ago. This is an entirely new position which did
not exist before. Specific departments to deal with NRI
Affairs are very recent creations. Indeed, as of today,
such departments exist only in very few States and are
in the process of being constituted in the remaining
States. The Union Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs
itself has been created quite recently. Though my office
is not yet fully functional, I have already taken steps
to solve some of the grievances of the non resident
Goans.
* Teachers, doctors, nurses and those holding a diploma or a
University degree are exempted from emigration clearance
However, maids and some other persons of the lower income
group who seek employment abroad have to approach the office
of the Protector of Emigrants at Mumbai to obtain emigration
clearance. Due to low literacy levels etc. such persons need
the services of intermediaries and they are harassed and
fleeced economically and often they are also victims of
criminal abuse. In such circumstances, it is necessary to
establish an office of the Protector of Emigrants in Goa
itself. I have written to Mr. Vyalar Ravi, the Union Minister
of Overseas Indian Affairs, in this regard.
* NRGs are abroad for reasons of employment and most of them
have a house and properties in Goa. Some of them have
requested me to make arrangements for taking care of their
properties during their absence. The Chief Minister has asked
me to take special interest in this matter. I am working on a
scheme in this regard.
* Many Goans who are abroad for reasons of employment, have
requested that they be conferred voting rights and this is a
very legitimate demand. Their names should be included in the
electoral rolls in Goa. There is a Bill pending in Parliament
to amend the Representation of People’s Act so that such
rights may be conferred on non resident Indians. This Bill
however, is not yet scheduled for discussion in Parliament. I
have written to the Union Law Minister to expedite the process.
* I have received some representations saying that in Kuwait,
degrees of the Goa University are not recognized. This
obviously creates problems for our people who seek employment
in that country. I have taken up the matter with our
Ambassador in Kuwait. He is a very efficient officer and I am
confident that he will deal with this and other problems
faced by Goans there sympathetically and expeditiously.
* Goans holding foreign passports may use charter flights.
However, PIOs who come to Goa on charter flights are required
to return within four weeks from arrival. PIOs of Goan origin
usually do have a home, other properties and family members
in Goa. They are abroad for reasons of employment . They
belong here. I have, therefore, requested the Immigration
authorities that Goans may not be inconvenienced only because
they have exceeded the four weeks period.
* This Office shall be setting a website within a month to
inform NRGs of the different facilities available to them
from the State Government as well as the Union Government, to
listen to their grievances and to inform them of action taken.
Email contact for feedback: Eduardo Faleiro
<[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
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