Kerala CM seeks PM's intervention to bring bodies of non-COVID NRKs from Gulf

Thiruvananthapuram, Apr 24 () Kerala Chief MinisterPinarayi Vijayan on Friday sought Prime Minister NarendraModi's intervention in bringing bodies of Keralites who diedin the Gulf countries due to non-COVID-19 reasons to the statewithout any delay for performing last rites in their hometowns. In a letter, he wanted Modi to direct Indian embassiestoissue necessary clearances without seeking individualapprovals from the Ministry of Home Affairs and avoid anydelay so that theremains reach Kerala early. It had been learnt that a 'clearance certificate' fromthe Indian embassies concerned was required to process theapplication for bringinghome the bodies.The embassies are insisting on production of no-objectioncertificate from the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, he saidin the letter, a copy of which was released to the media hereon Friday. The Centre had already agreed that in case the deaths arenot COVID related, such certificates are not necessary. The bodies are now being broughtin the cargo planesaspassenger flights are not being operated due to thelockdown. Chief Minister said he had received several grievancesfrom the NRKs in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries onthe delay in bringing home the bodies of those who died there. "Theyare already under tremendous stress and anxiety dueto the lockdown imposed in those countries and the consequentstoppage of international flights", Vijayan said. LGK UDVS VS