The memorandum by Hamza Abbas, chief editor of Gulf Madhyamam, requested the government to take immediate action to repatriate poor Indians under the Kandara Bridge in Jeddah to avoid possible deaths and the spread of chronic diseases among them.
"They are living in terrible conditions in harsh weather without food or shelter," Abbas was quoted by Arab News as saying. The memorandum also called for action to solve the problems of poor Indian workers in the Kingdom; the issuing of travel documents to people who cannot travel as their passports have been confiscated by sponsors; giving voting rights to NRIs; implementing the NRI Insurance Program; and initiating an investment program for NRIs.
The memorandum calls on the Indian government to make necessary amendments in the banking law to introduce interest-free banking in India, something, according to Abbas, would strengthen the country’s economy. State Bank of India’s branches in Saudi Arabia should also be given permission to open Islamic banking windows like other conventional banks, he added.
"We also request you to exempt remittances by NRIs from taxation and encourage investment of these funds by providing a five-year tax holiday," the memorandum said. Cheaper air transport facilities should be provided to NRIs in the Gulf by increasing Air India Express flights, it added.
In another memorandum, the Navodaya Cultural Centre called on the prime minister to take steps to make the Indian Embassy party to employment contracts between employers, employees and recruitment agencies.
Novodaya also raised the issue of poor Indian motorists in prison due to an inability to pay huge indemnities to accident victims; the need for a permanent consulate in Dammam; trade fairs to promote Indian products.
It also asked for the speeding up of procedures to repatriate the remains of dead Indians; a revision of Air India fares to the Gulf sector; action against gangs involved in drug trafficking to Saudi Arabia; and the opening of branches of Indian universities in the Kingdom.
K T A Muneer of the Overseas Indian Cultural Congress urged the prime minister to request the Saudi government to issue an amnesty to all Indians in prison for non-major crimes. He also called for the relaxation of family visa regulations.