'Always Encouraged Gulf Countries For Ex Gratia Payments': EAM On Monetary Aid To NRIs Kin

Dr Jaishankar, who was commenting on monetary aid to the kin of NRIs who died abroad due to Covid-19, said its usage was expanded in 2017.

External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar. (File Image|Getty)

New Delhi: External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar on Thursday said there is a provision in the Indian Community Welfare Fund for responding to situations like deaths.

Dr Jaishankar, who was commenting on monetary aid to the kin of NRIs who died abroad due to Covid-19, said its usage was expanded in 2017.

“We have always encouraged Gulf countries for ex gratia payments to be made by the government or employers,” he told the Rajya Sabha, ANI reported.

The 2022 Budget Session began earlier on January 31 with President Ram Nath Kovind’s address to both the Houses of Parliament.

The first part of the Budget Session, which will continue till February 11, will have 10 sittings.

The second part of the session will begin after a month-long recess from March 14 and conclude on April 8 in which there will be 19 sittings.

With a view to ensure Covid safety protocol, both the Houses of Parliament will function in shifts.

The proceedings in the Rajya Sabha, which began at 10 a.m., will be held till 3 p.m.

The proceedings in the Lok Sabha will take place from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The Zero Hour (the time when the Members of Parliament can raise issues of urgent public importance), which usually runs for one hour, has been reduced to 30 minutes this time in the Rajya Sabha.

Earlier in the day, the Union Health Ministry informed that over 167 crore 87 lakh Covid vaccine doses have been administered in the country so far under the Nationwide Vaccination Drive.

The ministry said India’s active caseload currently stands at 15,33,921, adding 1,72,433 new cases were recorded in the last 24 hours.