“The central or state government should make necessary arrangements to conduct COVID-19 tests on the non-resident Indians, who are in the direst need of returning to their native places,” Abraham John said.
“If the COVID-19 tests are enforced on the helpless returnees who have lost their jobs or remain in the medical condition in the Arabian Gulf countries before returning to their respective native places in India, the central government of India or the respective state government should conduct the necessary tests absolutely free of cost as these unfortunate victims of the terrible virus are unable to bear the test expenses of 8k to 10k Indian rupees abroad,” he added.
“The governments should boost the morale of the overseas citizens and replace the anxiety with confidence in their near and dear ones at the native places who are receiving them. The government needs to despatch fully equipped medical teams in order to conduct COVID tests to those countries from where more chartered flights are being organized for the massive evacuation. It is the responsibility of the government to help its citizens at the time of a pandemic.”
At the same time, the directive of the state government to make the COVID test mandatory effective from 20 June has caused tremendous anxiety and discomfort among the non-resident Indians in the Gulf countries.
The latest government order renders many inconveniences including loss of money, incurring huge medical expenses and cancellation of the tickets which would be major blows to the helpless victims of the virus. The concern of the non-residents should be redressed by the government on an urgent basis and mitigate the impact on them.
