Tens of Thousands of Indian workers stranded in Saudi Arabia are ready to return to India under a 90 day amnesty period that the Saudi government has offered them. The Indians nationals are those who overstayed their visa and those who travelled illegally there.

Anil Nautiyal from Riyadh told the Times of India that a counselor at the Indian embassy said 20,321 Indians had applied till Monday evening to return back to India under the amnesty scheme.

There are about 1,500 workers from Tamil Nadu who are using the amnesty to come back to the country. Most of the other workers who are availing the scheme are from U.P and Bihar.

Nautiyal said that the Saudi government had installed an exclusive center in Riyadh for Indians who want to exit the Kingdom. The Indian embassy appealed to all Indians living illegally to take advantage of the amnesty that, that unlike a similar scheme that was restricted to Riyadh and Jeddah in 21 locations across the kingdom, he said.

"The majority of applications we received were from blue collar workers wanting to return to India," Nautiyal said. "The numbers are fewer than during the 2103 amnesty period, but many families who overstayed now want to use the scheme to return."

"Volunteers are assisting embassy officials through the entire process," he said. "We have put up tents in the embassy and consulate for the Indians who have applied to fly back to India."

Most applicants expressed relief at being able to return home.

P Murugavel, who is a native of Villupuram district, Tamil Nadu said: "I have been through hell in the last four years, working for four different sponsors, most of whom did not pay me."

"The working and living conditions were harsh. I am thankful for the amnesty offer and that I am returning home, even though I'm empty-handed and do not know what the future holds for me," he added.

Saudi officials are giving out one-way passes to travel back to India in the absence of a passport and also exit visas of charge to applicants. While they are facilitating the exit process, the applicants have to pay the flight cost.

UAE Fuel prices costlier in May

AMandeep