Visit of Minister Mohammed Ali Shabber in Dubai
09 September, 2007

Mr. Mohammed Ali Shabber, Minister for Energy, Coal, and Minorities Welfare of the State Government of Andhra Pradesh in India called on Brig. Mohamed Ahmed Rashid Al Marri, Director of DNRD today in Dubai.

Mr. Shabber accompanied by a four member delegation is visiting Dubai to look at long term solutions to the problem of illegal immigrants from the State of Andhra Pradesh. Mr. Shabber was accompanied by the Consul General Mr. Venu Rajamony and Consul (Labour) Mr. B.S. Mubarak during the meeting with Brig. Marri.

During the meeting the Minister thanked the benevolent rulers of UAE for announcing the three month Amnesty for illegal workers and for the additional grace period of two months till November 3rd, 2007. He thanked the UAE Government for the excellent arrangements made for speedy processing of exit permits for Indian illegal immigrants. He said that the State Government of Andhra Pradesh is keen on cracking down on recruiting agents who engage in illegal practice and preventing the flow of labour to UAE without proper employment visas. He expressed the willingness of Government authorities in India to work with the UAE Government in finding long term solutions.

Brig. Marri assured that the UAE Government was adopting a humanitarian approach to the amnesty seekers and providing all possible facilities to them. He personally took the delegation to Jumeriah Immigration Centre and showed the arrangements made for amnesty seekers, including an Air-conditioned tent provisions for water, refreshments etc.

Ambassador Talmiz Ahamad and Consul General Venu Rajamony briefed the Minister and his delegation in detail on the arrangements made by the Consulate with regard to the Amnesty over the last three months.

The Minister and his delegation will be visiting Abu Dhabi tomorrow.

The Minister’s delegation included Mr. Ravi Shankar Aisola, Head of the Branch Secretariat of the Ministry of External Affairs, Hyderabad. Mr. Ramana Reddy, Additional Secretary, Government of Andhra Pradesh. Joint Commissioner of Police of Hyderabad, Mr. Amit Garg and Shri D. Ashok, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Hyderabad.