Repatriating Nris Being Milked In The Name Of ‘miscellaneous’ Expenses

15 May 2020 India

Many non-resident Indians (NRIs), having been repatriated from the GCC to India under the ‘Vande Bharat’ initiative, have complained that they were charged excessive amounts of money upon arrival under the pretext of ‘miscellaneous’ expenses.

Dozens of passengers, who had travelled aboard Air India on repatriation flights, contacted Al-Bilad English, and reportedly other media outlets, complaining about exorbitant charges being levied which were never disclosed prior to their boarding.

The Indian Ambassador to Riyadh did address Saudi Arabia’s Indian community in a press conference announcing the repatriation initiative, but expenses were not mentioned. A press statement released following the press conference mentioned ticket prices of each flight and added an unspecified ‘plus miscellaneous charges’.

At that time, many traveling Indians assumed it to be taxes. But on arrival at their respective destinations, they were informed that they would be put in quarantine for 14 days at their own expense. They were given four options regarding their two-week quarantine stay.

The first option was a total package 3-star or 4-star hotel room ranging from 3000 to 4000 Indian rupees per night. The second option was a lower-standard hotel room at a cost of 800 to 1000 rupees per night. The third option was for guest house at a rate of 300 to 400 rupees per day. The fourth option was complimentary government-provided accommodation, which according to many is unhygienic and in poor condition.

Siraj, who travelled to the city of Kochi, complained via a telephone conversation stating, “I had already borrowed money from friends to travel. The price of the ticket was already hiked and on top of that I was told to opt for my quarantine stay. Obviously, I did not have much of a choice, so I opted for the free government-sponsored stay.”

Describing his accommodation Siraj said, “It is an unbelievable sight. There are layers of dust everywhere with no furniture. None of the staff members inside are observing preventive procedures, nor are we being asked to keep a distance and cover ourselves with a mask. I hope we come out alive in 14 days.”

In another development, state-run Uttar Pradesh State Roadways Transport Corporation (UPSRTC) has hiked transport fares. There was outcry among many upon learning that a cab ride from Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi to the suburbs would cost 10,000 rupees, which previously costed a mere 800 rupees.

“The state and central authorities are exploiting the pandemic for economic gain. Instead of helping citizens, they are milking NRIs,” claimed Abdul Jabbar, who had recently travelled to Delhi from Dubai.

 

SOURCE : TIMESKUWAIT

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