INDIAN COMMUNITY WELFARE FUND
The Embassy of India, Seoul, with the approval of Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs, has established Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF).
Objective
The Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) has been established in the Indian Missions/Posts abroad to meet contingency expenditure incurred by them for carrying out various on-site welfare activities for Overseas Indian Citizens who are in distress. ICWF is aimed at providing the following services on a means tested basis in the most deserving cases:
(i) Boarding and lodging for distressed Overseas Indian workers in Household/domestic sectors and unskilled labourers;
(ii) Extending emergency medical care to the Overseas Indians in need;
(iii) Providing air passage to stranded Overseas Indians in need;
(iv) Providing initial legal assistance to the Overseas Indians in deserving cases;
(v) Extending on incidentals and for airlifting the mortal remains to India or local cremation/burial of the deceased Overseas Indians in such cases where the sponsor is unable or unwilling to do so as per the contract and the family is unable to meet the cost;
(vi) Providing the payment of penalties in respect of Indian nationals for illegal stay in the host country where prima facie the worker is not at fault;
(vii) Providing the payment of small fines/penalties for the release of Indian nationals in jail/detention centre;
Target Beneficiaries
Overseas Indian workers duped by unscrupulous intermediaries in the host countries, runaway house maids, those who become victim of accidents, deserted spouses of Overseas Indian, undocumented Overseas Indian workers in need of emergency assistance or any other Overseas Indian citizens who are in distress would be the main beneficiaries of the Fund. The Fund will also be utilized to meet the expenditure for airlifting the mortal remains of Overseas Indian citizens to India on a means tested basis, on the recommendation of the respective Heads of Missions/Posts abroad. It is also meant for release of Overseas Indian nationals from detention centers as well as serves as support to Overseas Indian community centers and student welfare centers.
SOURCE OF FUNDING:
A. Service charge on consular services:
A compulsory service charge of KW 3700/- from foreign nationals towards Visa, OCI services and KW 2500/- from Indian nationals towards Passport,attestation of documents and other other miscellaneous consular services are being charged by the Mission.
B. Voluntary contributions by Indian community:
Indian community members may like to contribute towards the Fund for which a proper receipt giving name and address of the contributor will be issued by the Mission. Those willing to contribute to ICWF may kindly contact: attcons.seoul@mea.gov.in.
