Repatriation of bodies to India: Dubai welfare group calls for abolition of ‘flawed’ system – News
[ad_1]
Dubai-based social welfare organization Pravasi India has raised concerns over the Indian government’s CARe (Electronic Authorization for Repatriation of Mortal Remains) system, launched in August 2023 to expedite the rapid transfer of deceased Indian citizens from abroad.
On Thursday, January 25, Pravasi India submitted a memorandum to the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, urging the abolition of the portal. They argue that the system has deviated from its intended purpose due to bureaucratic complexities, linking errors and insufficient flight availability.
Hafisul Haq, media secretary of Pravasi India, claimed that the prolonged delays caused by the eCARe portal procedures have inflicted “immense mental trauma” and “financial hardship” on the affected families, often exceeding the expected approval deadline. by the 12 hour system.
Stay up to date with the latest news. Follow KT on WhatsApp channels.
During a meeting with First Secretary Prem Chand and Community Affairs Attaché Gaurav Kumar Singh at the Indian Embassy in Abu Dhabi, representatives of Pravasi India, including UAE President Abdulla Savad, presented a memorandum on the concerns were outlined and corrective measures were proposed.
The memo highlights that minor errors in documents, along with the absence of error notifications on the portal, intensify applicant anxiety, especially affecting low-income people and those lacking social support. Delays in eCARe approval disrupt travel plans for companions, and limited flights exacerbate repatriation challenges, particularly with increasing numbers of Indian expatriates in the UAE, according to the memo.
Pravasi India, which helped in the repatriation of six bodies in January, advocates the abolition of the eCARe system. They propose leveraging existing infrastructure, such as embassies and consulates, for faster document reviews and approvals. Additionally, they recommend implementing prior authorization for embalming and emphasizing compassionate procedures, timely communication, and equal access for vulnerable groups.
Contrary to Pravasi India’s concerns, UAE-based Indian social figure Ashraf Thamarassery dismisses them and claims that the system is seamless and offers faster processing compared to previous procedures. Ashraf, honored with the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman in 2015, has been transporting bodies from the United Arab Emirates for more than two decades.
[ad_2]
