As a follow up to the strenuous efforts of the state government to secure the release of all the Punjabis who were still stranded in war torn Iraq, the Punjab Chief Minister Mr. Parkash Singh Badal, accompanied by Deputy Chief Minister Mr. Sukhbir Singh Badal, today called on the Union External Affairs Minister Mrs. Sushma Swaraj to further intensify their efforts to ensure their safe and prompt return to their motherland.Expressing gratitude to Mrs. Swaraj, the Chief Minister said that he was fully satisfied with the concerted efforts undertaken by the Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) to secure to safe release of the Punjabis trapped in Iraq. He also apprised, the Union Minister that the distressed family members of these Punjabis had met him a couple of days back and requested him to seek your personal intervention for securing the immediate release of their beloved ones.
Updating Mrs. Swaraj about the elaborate arrangements made by the state government including facilities of free transport, accommodation and food at here at Punjab Bhawan, the Chief Minister said that arrangements have also been made for ensuring hassle free immigration at Immigration Center of Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport by deputing two senior officials from Punjab Bhawan round the clock for facilitating the Punjabis returning from Iraq. Mr. Badal also informed the Union Minister that a senior officer of the Secretary rank has been especially deputed to be in regular touch with the tormented families of the Punjabis to update them about any fresh inputs on this count. Likewise, he said that the state government was already giving financial assistance of Rs 20000 per month from its exchequer to the distressed families.
Taking part in deliberations, the Union Minister told Mr. Badal that the MEA was keeping a close tab on the entire situation in Iraq 24X7 and said that all the Punjabis were safe there as per the latest available information. She further said that the senior officers of her Ministry were in constant touch with the officers of Indian Embassy in Iraq to ensure the safe and hassle free evacuation of every Indian stuck up in strife torn country. Mrs. Swaraj said that the Ministry had even issued directive to the Indian Embassy in Iraq to issue duplicate passports, in case these were required for their immigration to India adding that clear cut instructions have been issued to officials in Embassy to arrange free air ticket to hapless Indians for their safe return to their motherland.The Chief Minister was accompanied by Rajya Sabha MPs Mr. Balwinder Singh Bhunder and Mr. Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa.