The Telangana state government has expressed its desire to host the next edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Hyderabad. This was conveyed by the Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Rao, when the union external affairs secretary Dnyaneshwar M Mulay met him. Mulay suggested him to follow it up with a formal letter to the ministry. This year, the divas was held in Bengaluru.

In this connection, Mulay said the project, ‘India Development Foundation of Overseas Indians’, would be launched at Suryapet in Telangana. The project will provide NRIs a platform to donate for philanthropic work such as building hospitals, schools and health centres.

He also referred to MEA’s initiative e-Madad, a grievance cell for people facing issues abroad. “It could be about someone stuck in Gulf countries, or somebody facing exploitation issues, not getting their contracting wages abroad. All such issues can be mentioned in the e-Madad portal and the ministry will promptly step in to resolve the issues,” he added

The Chief Minister also felt that both the Centre and State government should prepare a combined action plan reaching out to the students and youths going abroad in pursuit of higher education and in search of jobs. Indian Embassies and High Commissions abroad should be strengthened so that the needy would be able to get prompt response from the authorities concerned.

Since there are a good number of people leaving to other countries from Telangana, Rao said that his government will open a Foreign Bhavan in Hyderabad to offer services to the NRIs. The State government would provide land for the proposed office.

He appreciated that Telangana State became a model State in the country by the speedy issuance of passports. Nowhere in the country, he said that police verification for the issue of passports done in three days as is done in the Telangana State.