Hyderabad: Centre's no to Kuwait's free flight offer puts Telugus in fix

Hyderabad: Even as Hyderabad witnessed the landing of first Air India flight carrying expats from Kuwait on Saturday, those under amnesty urge the Union government to agree to the offer of 'free flights' by Kuwait. It has been more than two months since Kuwait announced amnesty to thousands of undocumented Indians and also offered to send them back in its flights free of cost. The frustration amongst these expats including Telugus is increasing as the Vande Bharat Mission allows only commercial aircraft to bring back the expats.

Given the fact that most of them are in professions like house-maid, women comprise a large chunk. In a plea to PM Narendra Modi and AP CM Jaganmohan Reddy, women from a shelter requested that they fear attracting COVID-19, saying 15 of them are crammed in a single room, according to a widely circulated message on twitter. Another worker Asif Khan who applied for emergency certificate in place of passport failed to get it even after a month. "I just wish to go back home, as my family is in trouble. One of my sons who ventured out for earning bread also attracted Coronavirus. I request Indian Embassy to issue passport (EC)," pleads his Whatsapp message.

According to United Telugu Forum, while these undocumented Indians are deported in normal days, the Kuwaiti government not only announced amnesty but also extended smooth passage back to Kuwaiti when things turn normal. Indian government twice let go of the opportunity of free flight offer and, as a consequence, on May 1, around 500 undocumented people were arrested near the Indian embassy, informed Koduri Venkat, the forum's convenor.

He recalled that in 1990s during Gulf war the expats were airlifted 'free of cost' by Indian Airlines, could not understand why Indian government is refusing to take back Indians stranded in 'shelters' when Kuwait is offering free transportation service. Some others involved with NGOs held that there is no official communication on the fate of undocumented Indians in Kuwait. Meanwhile, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait tweeted on Sunday, "Priorities are given to pregnant ladies, person with medical needs and elderly people."