Ambani brothers join hand for telecom biz

New Delhi: Billionaire Ambani brothers Tuesday struck a Rs 1,200-crore deal wherein Mukesh will use his younger sibling's optic fibre network for launch of his telecom venture. 

Under the pact, Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries' telecom arm will hire nationwide optical fibre network of Reliance Communications for the roll-out of 4G services. 

"Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd and Reliance Communications Ltd today announced the signing of a definitive agreement for approximately Rs 1,200 crore as one-time indefeasible right to use (IRU) fees for sharing RCom's nationwide inter-city fibre optic network infrastructure," RCom said in a statement. 

Under the terms of the agreement, Reliance Jio Infocomm will utilise multiple fibre pairs across RCom's 1,20,000 kilometres inter-city fibre optic network to provide the backbone for rolling out its 4G services. 

As per the agreement, RCom will in turn have reciprocal access to optic fibre infrastructure to be built by Reliance Jio Infocomm in the future. 

"The agreement provides for joint working arrangements to be put in place immediately for upgradation of the optic fibre network, to ensure seamless delivery of next generation services," the statement said. 

This agreement is the first in an intended comprehensive framework of business co-operation between Reliance Jio Infocomm and RCom to provide for optimal utilisation of the existing and future infrastructure of both companies on reciprocal basis, including inter alia, inter-city fibre, intra-city fiber, towers and related assets.  

Reliance Jio Infocomm (RJI), formerly Infotel Broadband, won 4G spectrum for pan-India services in 2010, but the company is yet to launch its services. 

Government recently approved norms that would allow RJI to even provide mobile phone calls service using its 4G spectrum. This leaves room for Mukesh Ambani's re-entry into mobile phone services business after 2005 following Anil Ambani moving out with RCom, formerly Reliance Infocomm, Reliance Energy and Reliance Capital. 

The agreement provides relief to RCom which reported net debt of around Rs 37,360 crore as on December 31, 2012. 

The deal paves the way for further sharing of infrastructure between the two firms as the agreement talks about "optimal utilisation of existing and future infrastructure of both companies on reciprocal basis, including inter alia, inter-city fibre, intra-city fibre, towers and related assets." 

RCom has been looking to sell stake in its tower firm Reliance Infrastructure but has not zeroed in on to any of the proposals. 

The company has also held discussion with various firms to lower its stake in under-sea cable firm Globalcom.

Ambani brothers join hand for telecom biz

New Delhi: Billionaire Ambani brothers Tuesday struck a Rs 1,200-crore deal wherein Mukesh will use his younger sibling's optic fibre network for launch of his telecom venture. 

Under the pact, Mukesh Ambani-led Reliance Industries' telecom arm will hire nationwide optical fibre network of Reliance Communications for the roll-out of 4G services. 

"Reliance Jio Infocomm Ltd and Reliance Communications Ltd today announced the signing of a definitive agreement for approximately Rs 1,200 crore as one-time indefeasible right to use (IRU) fees for sharing RCom's nationwide inter-city fibre optic network infrastructure," RCom said in a statement. 

Under the terms of the agreement, Reliance Jio Infocomm will utilise multiple fibre pairs across RCom's 1,20,000 kilometres inter-city fibre optic network to provide the backbone for rolling out its 4G services. 

As per the agreement, RCom will in turn have reciprocal access to optic fibre infrastructure to be built by Reliance Jio Infocomm in the future. 

"The agreement provides for joint working arrangements to be put in place immediately for upgradation of the optic fibre network, to ensure seamless delivery of next generation services," the statement said. 

This agreement is the first in an intended comprehensive framework of business co-operation between Reliance Jio Infocomm and RCom to provide for optimal utilisation of the existing and future infrastructure of both companies on reciprocal basis, including inter alia, inter-city fibre, intra-city fiber, towers and related assets.  

Reliance Jio Infocomm (RJI), formerly Infotel Broadband, won 4G spectrum for pan-India services in 2010, but the company is yet to launch its services. 

Government recently approved norms that would allow RJI to even provide mobile phone calls service using its 4G spectrum. This leaves room for Mukesh Ambani's re-entry into mobile phone services business after 2005 following Anil Ambani moving out with RCom, formerly Reliance Infocomm, Reliance Energy and Reliance Capital. 

The agreement provides relief to RCom which reported net debt of around Rs 37,360 crore as on December 31, 2012. 

The deal paves the way for further sharing of infrastructure between the two firms as the agreement talks about "optimal utilisation of existing and future infrastructure of both companies on reciprocal basis, including inter alia, inter-city fibre, intra-city fibre, towers and related assets." 

RCom has been looking to sell stake in its tower firm Reliance Infrastructure but has not zeroed in on to any of the proposals. 

The company has also held discussion with various firms to lower its stake in under-sea cable firm Globalcom.

NIA not to press for death sentence against Italian marines

New Delhi: The NIA, which has been asked to probe the killing of two Kerala fishermen allegedly by Italian marines, will not press for death sentence against the two accused, honouring an assurance given to Italy by India. 

A top Home Ministry official said the National Investigation Agency will not press for death sentence against the marines -- Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone -- as per the assurance given by India to Italy. 

On March 22, after their return from Italy, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid had told Parliament that Indiahas given an assurance to that country that the duo will not face death penalty nor will they be liable for arrest if they return by the deadline set by the Supreme Court. 

India had given assurances after clarifications were sought on death penalty which was a "concern" to that country. 

Home Secretary R K Singh is expected to have a meeting with Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai and Director General of National Investigation Agency S C Sinha to discuss issues related to the assurance given by New Delhi to Rome before the probe agency frames charges against the marines. 

The official said the marines will be slapped with relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and the NIA Act. 

Even though the IPC sections provide for death sentence in a murder in rarest of rare case, the prosecutors will not press for capital punishment in the court as per the assurance given to Italy, the official said. 

"We cannot go back on the commitment given to a sovereign nation. If we do that, no country will cooperate with India in future in any such case," the official said.  

The NIA will re-register case and file the chargesheet before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in Delhi who will commit the case to a sessions court. 

Officials said the sessions court will decide whether the case will be tried in a special court or the existing NIA special court in Delhi. 

The Supreme Court had on January 18 said the marines on board 'Enrica Lexie', accused of shooting dead the two fishermen in February last year, be shifted to Delhi and be under the 'custody' of the Supreme Court till the Centre constitutes a special court to hold their trial.  

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Thiruvananthapuram: An FIR was Tuesday filed against former Kerala minister K B Ganesh Kumar before a local court in connection with a domestic violence charge made by his wife, hours after he was forced to quit the ministry. 

Acting on Kumar's complaint against his wife Yamini alleging assault, a separate FIR was also filed against her in the same Chief Judicial Magistrate court. 

Kumar had been charged under IPC sections 498(a) (harrassment of woman), Sec 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 341 ( wrongful restraint), while Yamini had been charged with assault causing injury (324) and intimidation (506). 

Police, however, did not consider the demand from Kumar and Yamini that cases for attempt to murder be registered against each other. 

Sources said both complaints would be probed by a Crime Branch team, led by senior IPS officer Uma Behra. 

Meanwhile, the resignation of Kumar, the lone MLA of Kerla Congress(B), fulled speculation that a Congress nominee would be occupying the cabinet vacancy. 

Though neither Congress nor UDF has begun formal talks on the issue, names that figured as possible candidates for the cabinet berth included K Muraleedharan, a former KPCC chief and son of late leader K Karunakaran, K Sivadasan Nair from Pathanamthitta and a comparatively younger face V D Satheesan from Paravoor. 

LDF kept the issue alive with its youth outfits staging protest demonstrations, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on moral grounds in view of the developments.

NIA not to press for death sentence against Italian marines

New Delhi: The NIA, which has been asked to probe the killing of two Kerala fishermen allegedly by Italian marines, will not press for death sentence against the two accused, honouring an assurance given to Italy by India. 

A top Home Ministry official said the National Investigation Agency will not press for death sentence against the marines -- Massimiliano Lattore and Salvatore Girone -- as per the assurance given by India to Italy. 

On March 22, after their return from Italy, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid had told Parliament that Indiahas given an assurance to that country that the duo will not face death penalty nor will they be liable for arrest if they return by the deadline set by the Supreme Court. 

India had given assurances after clarifications were sought on death penalty which was a "concern" to that country. 

Home Secretary R K Singh is expected to have a meeting with Foreign Secretary Ranjan Mathai and Director General of National Investigation Agency S C Sinha to discuss issues related to the assurance given by New Delhi to Rome before the probe agency frames charges against the marines. 

The official said the marines will be slapped with relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code, Criminal Procedure Code and the NIA Act. 

Even though the IPC sections provide for death sentence in a murder in rarest of rare case, the prosecutors will not press for capital punishment in the court as per the assurance given to Italy, the official said. 

"We cannot go back on the commitment given to a sovereign nation. If we do that, no country will cooperate with India in future in any such case," the official said.  

The NIA will re-register case and file the chargesheet before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate in Delhi who will commit the case to a sessions court. 

Officials said the sessions court will decide whether the case will be tried in a special court or the existing NIA special court in Delhi. 

The Supreme Court had on January 18 said the marines on board 'Enrica Lexie', accused of shooting dead the two fishermen in February last year, be shifted to Delhi and be under the 'custody' of the Supreme Court till the Centre constitutes a special court to hold their trial.  

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Thiruvananthapuram: An FIR was Tuesday filed against former Kerala minister K B Ganesh Kumar before a local court in connection with a domestic violence charge made by his wife, hours after he was forced to quit the ministry. 

Acting on Kumar's complaint against his wife Yamini alleging assault, a separate FIR was also filed against her in the same Chief Judicial Magistrate court. 

Kumar had been charged under IPC sections 498(a) (harrassment of woman), Sec 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 341 ( wrongful restraint), while Yamini had been charged with assault causing injury (324) and intimidation (506). 

Police, however, did not consider the demand from Kumar and Yamini that cases for attempt to murder be registered against each other. 

Sources said both complaints would be probed by a Crime Branch team, led by senior IPS officer Uma Behra. 

Meanwhile, the resignation of Kumar, the lone MLA of Kerla Congress(B), fulled speculation that a Congress nominee would be occupying the cabinet vacancy. 

Though neither Congress nor UDF has begun formal talks on the issue, names that figured as possible candidates for the cabinet berth included K Muraleedharan, a former KPCC chief and son of late leader K Karunakaran, K Sivadasan Nair from Pathanamthitta and a comparatively younger face V D Satheesan from Paravoor. 

LDF kept the issue alive with its youth outfits staging protest demonstrations, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on moral grounds in view of the developments.

Minister quits on charge of domestic tiff, oppn disrupts House

Thiruvananthapuram: In an embarrassment to the ruling Congress-led UDF, forest minister K B Ganesh Kumar was forced to quit after his wife levelled charges of domestic violence, a development that triggered opposition demand for Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's resignation. 

Kumar, who initially took a defiant stand on the charges levelled by his wife Yamini Thankachi as "totally baseless" and also ruled out his resignation till Monday evening, later drove to the Chief Minister's residence and submitted his resignation. 

The Kerala Congress (B) leader, who resigned after his wife lodged a police complaint alleging domestic violence, stated in his resignation letter that he was quitting "owing to personal reasons." 

But later Kumar said his resignation was the "prize" for his fight against corruption, alluding to his tiff with sections in the United Democratic Front over his firm stand against those "illegally" holding vast stretches of forest land beyond lease terms. 

The exit of the 46-year-old actor-turned-politician became imminent after Chandy advised him to put in his papers. 

Seizing the issue, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front in the state Assembly demanded the Chief Minister's resignation accusing him of misleading the House that he had not received any complaint from Kumar's wife. 

As soon as the Assembly began its proceedings, the LDF members were on their feet alleging Chandy had lost moral right to remain in office and demanded an immediate discussion over the issue. 

The House had adjournment for a brief spell after opposition members insisted for a discussion even as Speaker G Karthikeyan promised to permit a debate during zero hour. 

The long-running incompatibility between the couple reached a flashpoint yesterday with Kumar filing a divorce petition in a court here. 

While Kumar charged his wife of "blackmailing" and "manhandling", Yamini rejected the allegations and asserted she was a victim of "domestic violence" for the last 16 years after she objected to her husband's "illicit affairs". 

Yamini also alleged that she could not get justice from the Chief Minister whom she had approached with a complaint. 

Kumar, a second time MLA from Pathanapuram in Kollam district, had a tough time right from the start of his second stint as minister with his father and Kerala Congress (B) supremo R Balakrishna Pillai calling for his withdrawal. 

Pillai, who was serving one-year prison term in a corruption case when the Chandy ministry assumed office in May 2011, had accused his son of disregarding the "interests of the party and its workers." 

Kumar, who has made mark in Malayalam cinema in supporting roles before plunging into politics as successor of his father, came under a cloud after a Malayalam newspaper reported a month back stating a Kerala minister was beaten up by the husband of a lady with whom he had an affair. 

The next day, Government Chief Whip P C George of the Kerala Congress (M) alleged at a press meet that the minister referred in the report was Kumar. 

The Ganesh Kumar affair took an unsavoury turn after a truce brokered by the UDF leadership among the minister, his estranged father and Yamini proved tenuous. 

Yamini also blamed the Chief Minister claiming that she had approached him with a complaint, but he dissuaded from pressing it and promised that he would intervene and settle the family dispute. 

The opposition leaders, within and outside the Assembly, accused Chandy of having committed a serious mistake by not revealing the details of Yamini's complaint by contending that he did not receive any "written complaint" from her.  

Making a statement in the House, Kumar said he was "victim of a conspiracy" which was the result of his firm stand against encroachment of forest land and corrupt dealings. 

He said he was "trapped in a false case" and was confident that his innocence would be proved through a fair and honest inquiry. 

Kumar said he resigned on moral grounds as he believed that public servants should uphold certain values. Thanking the Chief Minister for support extended to him during his tenure as forest minister, Kumar said he would continue his fight against corruption. 

Denying the LDF allegation that he tried to "shield" Kumar, Chandy said he had only interfered in the issue with "good intention" by finding an amicable solution to the "domestic affairs" of his colleague. 

A truce was worked out between Kumar and Yamini and an agreement was signed. However, "some hitches" cropped up at the implementation stage and the issue turned controversial after yesterday's developments, Chandy said. 

The petition submitted by Yamini alleging domestic violence has been forwarded to the Kerala police chief for taking necessary steps under the law, he said. 

"I have not done any mistake. The only thing I did was that I intervened in the issue with a good intention to resolve a family dispute and tried to bring them (Kumar and his wife) together," Chandy said. 

Rejecting the Opposition allegation that he had refused to accept the petition against Kumar, Chandy stuck to his position that Yamini did not submit any petition against his Cabinet colleague when she met him on March 6. 

"I also stick to my statement that no one from outside beat up Ganesh Kumar at his residence as reported in the media," Chandy added. 

The opposition, however, kept on shouting slogans against Chandy demanding his resignation contending that he had breached oath of office by extending undue favour to a Cabinet colleague ignoring the plea of a woman for justice. 

As the House plunged into turmoil, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day.

Minister quits on charge of domestic tiff, oppn disrupts House

Thiruvananthapuram: In an embarrassment to the ruling Congress-led UDF, forest minister K B Ganesh Kumar was forced to quit after his wife levelled charges of domestic violence, a development that triggered opposition demand for Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy's resignation. 

Kumar, who initially took a defiant stand on the charges levelled by his wife Yamini Thankachi as "totally baseless" and also ruled out his resignation till Monday evening, later drove to the Chief Minister's residence and submitted his resignation. 

The Kerala Congress (B) leader, who resigned after his wife lodged a police complaint alleging domestic violence, stated in his resignation letter that he was quitting "owing to personal reasons." 

But later Kumar said his resignation was the "prize" for his fight against corruption, alluding to his tiff with sections in the United Democratic Front over his firm stand against those "illegally" holding vast stretches of forest land beyond lease terms. 

The exit of the 46-year-old actor-turned-politician became imminent after Chandy advised him to put in his papers. 

Seizing the issue, the CPI(M)-led Left Democratic Front in the state Assembly demanded the Chief Minister's resignation accusing him of misleading the House that he had not received any complaint from Kumar's wife. 

As soon as the Assembly began its proceedings, the LDF members were on their feet alleging Chandy had lost moral right to remain in office and demanded an immediate discussion over the issue. 

The House had adjournment for a brief spell after opposition members insisted for a discussion even as Speaker G Karthikeyan promised to permit a debate during zero hour. 

The long-running incompatibility between the couple reached a flashpoint yesterday with Kumar filing a divorce petition in a court here. 

While Kumar charged his wife of "blackmailing" and "manhandling", Yamini rejected the allegations and asserted she was a victim of "domestic violence" for the last 16 years after she objected to her husband's "illicit affairs". 

Yamini also alleged that she could not get justice from the Chief Minister whom she had approached with a complaint. 

Kumar, a second time MLA from Pathanapuram in Kollam district, had a tough time right from the start of his second stint as minister with his father and Kerala Congress (B) supremo R Balakrishna Pillai calling for his withdrawal. 

Pillai, who was serving one-year prison term in a corruption case when the Chandy ministry assumed office in May 2011, had accused his son of disregarding the "interests of the party and its workers." 

Kumar, who has made mark in Malayalam cinema in supporting roles before plunging into politics as successor of his father, came under a cloud after a Malayalam newspaper reported a month back stating a Kerala minister was beaten up by the husband of a lady with whom he had an affair. 

The next day, Government Chief Whip P C George of the Kerala Congress (M) alleged at a press meet that the minister referred in the report was Kumar. 

The Ganesh Kumar affair took an unsavoury turn after a truce brokered by the UDF leadership among the minister, his estranged father and Yamini proved tenuous. 

Yamini also blamed the Chief Minister claiming that she had approached him with a complaint, but he dissuaded from pressing it and promised that he would intervene and settle the family dispute. 

The opposition leaders, within and outside the Assembly, accused Chandy of having committed a serious mistake by not revealing the details of Yamini's complaint by contending that he did not receive any "written complaint" from her.  

Making a statement in the House, Kumar said he was "victim of a conspiracy" which was the result of his firm stand against encroachment of forest land and corrupt dealings. 

He said he was "trapped in a false case" and was confident that his innocence would be proved through a fair and honest inquiry. 

Kumar said he resigned on moral grounds as he believed that public servants should uphold certain values. Thanking the Chief Minister for support extended to him during his tenure as forest minister, Kumar said he would continue his fight against corruption. 

Denying the LDF allegation that he tried to "shield" Kumar, Chandy said he had only interfered in the issue with "good intention" by finding an amicable solution to the "domestic affairs" of his colleague. 

A truce was worked out between Kumar and Yamini and an agreement was signed. However, "some hitches" cropped up at the implementation stage and the issue turned controversial after yesterday's developments, Chandy said. 

The petition submitted by Yamini alleging domestic violence has been forwarded to the Kerala police chief for taking necessary steps under the law, he said. 

"I have not done any mistake. The only thing I did was that I intervened in the issue with a good intention to resolve a family dispute and tried to bring them (Kumar and his wife) together," Chandy said. 

Rejecting the Opposition allegation that he had refused to accept the petition against Kumar, Chandy stuck to his position that Yamini did not submit any petition against his Cabinet colleague when she met him on March 6. 

"I also stick to my statement that no one from outside beat up Ganesh Kumar at his residence as reported in the media," Chandy added. 

The opposition, however, kept on shouting slogans against Chandy demanding his resignation contending that he had breached oath of office by extending undue favour to a Cabinet colleague ignoring the plea of a woman for justice. 

As the House plunged into turmoil, the Speaker adjourned the House for the day.

FIRs filed against former Kerala minister, his wife

 

Thiruvananthapuram: An FIR was Tuesday filed against former Kerala minister K B Ganesh Kumar before a local court in connection with a domestic violence charge made by his wife, hours after he was forced to quit the ministry. 

Acting on Kumar's complaint against his wife Yamini alleging assault, a separate FIR was also filed against her in the same Chief Judicial Magistrate court. 

Kumar had been charged under IPC sections 498(a) (harrassment of woman), Sec 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 341 ( wrongful restraint), while Yamini had been charged with assault causing injury (324) and intimidation (506). 

Police, however, did not consider the demand from Kumar and Yamini that cases for attempt to murder be registered against each other. 

Sources said both complaints would be probed by a Crime Branch team, led by senior IPS officer Uma Behra. 

Meanwhile, the resignation of Kumar, the lone MLA of Kerla Congress(B), fulled speculation that a Congress nominee would be occupying the cabinet vacancy. 

Though neither Congress nor UDF has begun formal talks on the issue, names that figured as possible candidates for the cabinet berth included K Muraleedharan, a former KPCC chief and son of late leader K Karunakaran, K Sivadasan Nair from Pathanamthitta and a comparatively younger face V D Satheesan from Paravoor. 

LDF kept the issue alive with its youth outfits staging protest demonstrations, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on moral grounds in view of the developments.

FIRs filed against former Kerala minister, his wife

 

Thiruvananthapuram: An FIR was Tuesday filed against former Kerala minister K B Ganesh Kumar before a local court in connection with a domestic violence charge made by his wife, hours after he was forced to quit the ministry. 

Acting on Kumar's complaint against his wife Yamini alleging assault, a separate FIR was also filed against her in the same Chief Judicial Magistrate court. 

Kumar had been charged under IPC sections 498(a) (harrassment of woman), Sec 323 (voluntarily causing hurt) and 341 ( wrongful restraint), while Yamini had been charged with assault causing injury (324) and intimidation (506). 

Police, however, did not consider the demand from Kumar and Yamini that cases for attempt to murder be registered against each other. 

Sources said both complaints would be probed by a Crime Branch team, led by senior IPS officer Uma Behra. 

Meanwhile, the resignation of Kumar, the lone MLA of Kerla Congress(B), fulled speculation that a Congress nominee would be occupying the cabinet vacancy. 

Though neither Congress nor UDF has begun formal talks on the issue, names that figured as possible candidates for the cabinet berth included K Muraleedharan, a former KPCC chief and son of late leader K Karunakaran, K Sivadasan Nair from Pathanamthitta and a comparatively younger face V D Satheesan from Paravoor. 

LDF kept the issue alive with its youth outfits staging protest demonstrations, demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Oommen Chandy on moral grounds in view of the developments.

Kerala urges Centre to seek Saudi Arabia amnesty

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala on Monday asked the Centre to seek six months general amnesty from Saudi Arabia for expatriates, who would be affected by the new labour policy 'Nitaqat' being implemented in that country as part of localisation of jobs. 

Besides this, the state would, among other things, ask the Centre to see that those who return were not send through deportation routes, that would result in a 'travel ban' to gulf regions, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told the Assembly. 

The Centre has seized of the matter and it would be resolved at the highest level, Chandy said, adding, the state had already brought the seriousness of the situation to the attention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. 

"No one could question the rules of another country, but it is true that the new law in Saudi Arabia will create difficulty and problem to expatriates", he said. 

"At the most we can do is to bring the issues before the Saudi Arabian government and resolve the matter with the help of cordial relations with that country", Chandy said. 
Union Minister for Non-Resident Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Union Minister of state for External Affairs E Ahmed would be meeting the Prime Minister to discus the issue later in the day, Chandy said. 

Stating that there was no need for panic, Chandy hoped that the situation would be handled and resolved through the "goodwill" of that country. 

Minister for Non-Resident Keralities Affairs K C Joseph said there was no exodus of expatriates as projected in the media and described such reports as "exaggerated". 
Kerala had also asked the Centre to announce a rehabilitation package for returnees under the 'Nitaqat' (classification in jobs), he said, while replying to an adjournment motion, sought to be moved by CPM led LDF Opposition, which was disallowed by Speaker G Karthikeyan in view of Chandy's reply. 

K V Abdul Khader (CPM), who sought to move the motion, alleged that the Centre failed to take necessary precautionary steps to avoid the present situation, which has caused hardships to those working in that country. 

Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan criticised the Prime Minister for "not intervening" in the matter and said that an all party delegation from the state should meet Singh to apprise him of the 'seriousness of the situation'.  

Kerala urges Centre to seek Saudi Arabia amnesty

Thiruvananthapuram: Kerala on Monday asked the Centre to seek six months general amnesty from Saudi Arabia for expatriates, who would be affected by the new labour policy 'Nitaqat' being implemented in that country as part of localisation of jobs. 

Besides this, the state would, among other things, ask the Centre to see that those who return were not send through deportation routes, that would result in a 'travel ban' to gulf regions, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy told the Assembly. 

The Centre has seized of the matter and it would be resolved at the highest level, Chandy said, adding, the state had already brought the seriousness of the situation to the attention of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh. 

"No one could question the rules of another country, but it is true that the new law in Saudi Arabia will create difficulty and problem to expatriates", he said. 

"At the most we can do is to bring the issues before the Saudi Arabian government and resolve the matter with the help of cordial relations with that country", Chandy said. 
Union Minister for Non-Resident Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi and Union Minister of state for External Affairs E Ahmed would be meeting the Prime Minister to discus the issue later in the day, Chandy said. 

Stating that there was no need for panic, Chandy hoped that the situation would be handled and resolved through the "goodwill" of that country. 

Minister for Non-Resident Keralities Affairs K C Joseph said there was no exodus of expatriates as projected in the media and described such reports as "exaggerated". 
Kerala had also asked the Centre to announce a rehabilitation package for returnees under the 'Nitaqat' (classification in jobs), he said, while replying to an adjournment motion, sought to be moved by CPM led LDF Opposition, which was disallowed by Speaker G Karthikeyan in view of Chandy's reply. 

K V Abdul Khader (CPM), who sought to move the motion, alleged that the Centre failed to take necessary precautionary steps to avoid the present situation, which has caused hardships to those working in that country. 

Opposition leader V S Achuthanandan criticised the Prime Minister for "not intervening" in the matter and said that an all party delegation from the state should meet Singh to apprise him of the 'seriousness of the situation'.