By Anurjay Dhal
RAJKANIKA/KENDRAPARA (ODISHA): Union PNG-Steel Minister Dharmendra Pradhan was on Monday welcomed the Union Government’s decision to bring back Indian Nationals stranded abroad in view of the outbreak of COVID-19 Pandemic.
In a statement issued by the Union Minister Pradhan’s Bhubaneswar office, 120 km from here, said, that the decision would help thousands of stranded Indians to back to home. The Union-PNG Steel Minister thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Union International Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishakar.
“Welcome the decision of GOI and thank Hon. PM Shri Narendra Modi, HM Shri Amit Shah ji and EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar ji for the timely decision to bring back Indian nationals from abroad.Yesterday, I had interacted with the Odia community members in the GCC countries; would urge to consider their request for repatriation directly to Bhubaneswar; also request to similarly bring back Odia brothers and sisters from other regions of the world,” the Union Minister twitted.
The Union Minister Pradhan, who hails from Odisha’s Coal rich belt of Dhenkanal-Angul-Talcher belt and representing Madhya Pradesh in Rajya Sabha after a full term from Bihar earlier, had on Sunday interacted with stranded Odia communities residing in Gulf Countries like AE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait and Oman through video conferencing.
Pradhan had urged them to take care of each other, especially the Indian diaspora in these difficult times. Also, he had reassured them to not worry about their families back home as GOI under the leadership of PM Narendra Modi has taken necessary steps to address their needs on time.
“Washing hands regularly, maintaining hygiene and #SocialDistancing are key factors in emerging victorious from this health crisis. Requested all my friends to follow the lockdown guidelines laid down by their authorities to eliminate the risk of #Covid19 infection.With the blessings of Mahaprabhu Jagannath we shall overcome this grave challenge that has befallen humanity. Jai Jagannath,” Pradhan had twitted on Sunday.
The Ministry of Home Affairs in a statement released in New Delhi said Government of India will be facilitating the return of Indian nationals stranded abroad on compelling grounds in a phased manner. The travel would be arranged by aircraft and naval ships. The Standard Operating Protocol (SOP) has been prepared in this regard.
Indian Embassies and High Commissions are preparing a list of distressed Indian citizens. This facility would be made available on payment-basis. Non-scheduled commercial flights would be arranged for air travel. The travel would begin in a phased manner from May 7.
Medical screening of passengers would be done before taking the flight. Only asymptomatic passengers would be allowed to travel. During the journey, all these passengers would have to follow the protocols, such as the Health Protocols, issued by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
On reaching the destination, everyone would have to register on the Aarogya Setu app. Everyone would be medically screened. After scrutiny, they would be quarantined for 14 days, either in a hospital or in an institutional quarantine on payment-basis, by the concerned State government. COVID test would be done after 14 days and further action would be taken according to health protocols.
The Ministries of External Affairs and Civil Aviation would soon share detailed information about it through their websites.State Governments are being advised to make arrangements, including for testing, quarantine and onward movement of the returning Indians in their respective States.
