Setback to DK Shivakumar as HC refuses to stay ED summons

The government of India today said it will begin evacuating its nationals stuck abroad due to the coronavirus pandemic from May 7 in a phased manner. This facility would be made available on payment basis. 

A Standard Operating Protocol has been put in place and the travel would be arranged by aircraft as well as naval ships and will be available on a payment-basis, the government said.

"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," it said in a statement.

Specifying the protocols upon entry in India, the government said the returning Indians would be medically screened and will have to be quarantined for 14 days, either in a hospital or in an institutional quarantine on payment-basis, by the respective state government.

Jul 6: At least 8 lakh Indians may be forced to leave Kuwait as the country's legal and legislative committee has approved a draft expat quota Bill, reported.

The Bill, which states that Indians should not exceed 15 percent of the population, was determined as constitutional by the National Assembly, local media reported.

It will soon be transferred to the respective committee so that a comprehensive plan is created.

Expats account for 30 lakh of Kuwait's 43 lakh population. Indian community constitutes the largest expat community in Kuwait, totalling 14.5 lakh.

The move comes as the number of Covid-19 cases has spiked in the country, with 49,000 cases being reported so far.

Bengaluru, May 10: Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) president D K Shivakumar said that Congress will make travel arrangements for stranded Keralites in the state in order to facilitate them to reach their homes.

"On the request made by Kerala Pradesh Congress Committee, the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee has appointed MLA NA Haris as in-charge coordinator to look after the Kerala citizens stranded in Karnataka," DK Shivakumar, President of Karnataka Congress said in a letter addressed to Kerala Congress.

"MLA Haris will guide and assist the Kerala citizens and make the travel arrangements for those who have obtained travel passes from concerned districts after discussing with government officials to send them to their respective places with government's approval," he added.

Shivakumar shared the contact details of MLA NA Haris and a helpline number for people to register their details.

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on May 1, issued an order to extend the ongoing lockdown by two more weeks from May 4 and also allowed the movement of migrant workers, tourists, students and other persons stranded at different places, by special trains, to their homes.