PANAJI: A total of 6,544 persons from abroad, including NRIs, OCIs and other Goans stuck in foreign countries, contacted the NRI commissioner’s office during the Covid-19 pandemic.
Most contacted the office seeking assistance for repatriation during the travel restrictions imposed by the Union government during the pandemic.
Some of those stranded wanted the Goa government to arrange charter flights for repatriation.
The office guided the people on the procedure to be followed and updated them on guidelines by the government of India and Goa, chief minister Pramod Sawant stated in a reply in the legislative assembly.
No new systems have been put in place by the commission to be in touch with Goans abroad, said Sawant who also holds the home portfolio, and added that there were no new initiatives or new projects taken up by the NRI commission since April 2019.