The weekend witnessed large crowd at the Indian Embassy in Kuwait, who had come to seek support of the Amnesty declared by the Kuwaiti Government. More than 2500 people came to seek Emergency Certificate to leave the country utilising the amnesty scheme.
The Amnesty is open to people from January 29th till February 22nd during this time, any residency violators can leave the country without paying fine or correct the status by paying the fine. Those leaving the country during amnesty can return back to Kuwait later on a valid visa. During this period Indian Embassy is working in three shifts including the weekend Friday and Saturday to cater to the large number of applicants to make use of this scheme.
The crowd appreciated the efforts put forward by Indian Embassy to serve the community at this need of the hour. People also appreciated and congratulated the sincere services of many Indian associations who extend laudable services to the unfortunate Indians. The crowd also appreciated the Indian Embassy Officials and staff for their dedicated service to the society at these needy hours. The embassy officials and the staff are on service through the day including weekend to serve the needy during the amnesty period.
Indian Embassy also arranges the service of Emigration Officials at the Embassy premise to fasten the issuance of Emergency Certificate process. Officers from Emigration department visits Indian Embassy to take the finger prints of these who don’t have any official record available. However they refused the rumours and clarified that this finger printing will not result in any sort of blacklisting. The Indian Embassy is issuing the Emergency Certificate after it’s stamped by the Emigration department. All these process helped the applicant in big way as otherwise the applicant has to do all these steps at the Emigration office in Farwaniya.
Various community organisations opened help desk to provide assistances to the people. The Volunteers of these community associations are providing necessary assistance in collecting the application, distributing Emergency Certificate etc which is of great help to bot the people and the Embassy officials.
Many Community organisations also came forward to distribute water, Juices, and basic Medical support to the crowd at the Embassy premises.
Taxi Driver's Association 'Yatra Kuwait' also came forward to provide free services to various destinations to those who are coming to collect Emergency Certificate from Indian Embassy. About 600 taxis began free services at the Embassy at the sea shore parking area on the Arabian Gulf Street from 4th February onwards.
Several associations also offering free air ticket to deserving people to travel back to India on Emergency Certificate. Meanwhile, Jazeera Airline and Indian Airline announces discounted rate for people who availing amnesty scheme to travel to various destinations in India.
The Amnesty is declared after long gap of seven years and there won’t be any extension of this amnesty period, official urges all undocumented Indians to make use of this scheme and leave the country without paying the fine so that they can come back to Kuwait on a valid visa. The amnesty period will end on February 22nd It is to be noted that from February 23rd the government machinery will be closed for the national day holidays and the chances of extension of this amnesty is nil.