New Delhi: Around 130,000 Indians have returned to India from Saudi Arabia this year following the kingdom’s Nitaqat work policy, a top official said yesterday. Around 5,000 Indian expatriates have also been deported from Kuwait for not possessing proper work documents. There are around 750,000 Indians in Kuwait. Meanwhile, the Kerala government announced a slew of schemes for returnees from Saudi. Contrary to speculation in the media of a mass exodus, less than 14,000 people have so far returned to Kerala. Kerala Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said: “We wish the returnees to get in touch with Roots-Norka officials who have with them small scale projects in various sectors and will help to set up units. Those who wish to buy vehicles for operating rent-a-car services will get loans at subsidised rates. Those who wish to start a venture in groups also can explore options. All of them can look forward to up to 10 percent subsidy in the capital cost and up to five percent in interest.” The state government has also offered programmes where people can avail up to Rs20 lakh under interest-free schemes for specific projects,” Chandy said.
Chennai Metro rail test-run
Chennai: The Rs14,600 crore Chennai Metro Rail project crossed a major milestone yesterday with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa flagging off the test-run of a four-coach train in Koyembadu. The test-run was for around 800 metres. The first set of coaches were imported from Brazil. The metro project is likely to be operational in May-June 2014. The project involves two corridors in phase I covering 45km. The first corridor (23km) will connect Washermenpet in north Chennai and Meenambakkam airport in south Chennai. The second corridor (22km) would connect Chennai Central and St. Thomas Mount. Around 14km of phase-I and 9km of phase-II would be underground.
Six new Star Sports channels
Mumbai: Star, India’s media and entertainment company, yesterday unveiled a new brand for Star Sports across six TV channels — Star Sports 1,2,3,4, HD1 and HD2 and starsports.com. Star India is bringing all the six diverse TV channels under one brand “Star Sports”. STAR disclosed that it has made a commitment of more than Rs20,000 crore into the sports business. The investment is being used to fuel expansion of sports coverage in the country as well as in building exciting new leagues, including the Indian Super League in football, the Hockey India League and the Indian Badminton League. The network will also showcase new non-live programming and new shows.
One arrested for Nigerian’s murder
Panaji: One person was arrested yesterday for the murder of a Nigerian national in Goa. Surendra Paul was arrested from Chapora, a village known as a haven for drug traffickers, located 30km from Panaji. Police suspect that Paul was one of the six attackers involved in killing Obina Simione on October 31. The flare up and a subsequent crackdown by officials on Nigerians had threatened to escalate into a diplomatic row between India and Nigeria after a Nigerian diplomat warned that Indians in his country would be in trouble.
Agencies
