Saudi government's concessions in favour of NRIs are welcome: Oommen Chandy

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The concessions announced by Saudi Arabian government in favour of non-resident Indians provided hope to Keralites residing in that country, Chief Minister Oommen Chandy said today.

The possibility of large number of Keralites returning from Saudi Arabia was not likely with the new relaxations announced by the Saudi government in connection with its 'nitaqat' law, Chandy said in a statement here.

The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the Saudi government for the concessions announced. The action of the Saudi government would serve to make the close relationship between India and Saudi Arabia warmer, he said.

Chandy congratulated Union Ministers Vayalar Ravi and E Ahamed and officials of the Indian Embassy in Saudi Arabia who had held talks with Saudi authorities on the law.

The Saudi government has decided to allow expatriates who were staying illegally to return to homeland without facing penal action. They could also get a new job through sponsors and continue to stay there without facing any hardship.