In a kind gesture, the UAE government has again helped a migrant worker from Telangana by waving off a fine of AED 5,00,000. The 47-year-old migrant worker had to pay this much for overstaying his visit. The man was sent back to his home in Telangana, India, on his 47th birthday. Similarly, here’s how this Indian without passport reunited with his family in India.
Lendi Pothugonda Medi Came To The UAE On A Visit Visa In 2007
Local media reports state that Lendi Pothugonda Medi came to the UAE in 2007 on a visit visa, leaving behind his wife and daughter. However, back in 2007, the travel agent who had brought him to the UAE had abandoned him. And since then, he had been living in Dubai with a passport and other valid documents. Hence, this overstaying without documents attracted the fine.
Also read: 46 Hours, 2 Days, 3 Cities: Here’s How Two Stranded Indian Teens Reached Home In Time For Eid
Indian Consulate Arranged Emergency Passport And Travel Documents For Him
Pothugonda tried to reach out to Indian Consulate officials for help as he got stuck without a job in the country. And the covid-19 pandemic made it more difficult for him to survive. And after knowing his situation, an NGO and Nizamabad Member of Parliament (MP) Arvind Dharmapuri, Consulate officials arranged an emergency passport and one-time travel documents, which helped him return home. Also read this story of an expat who reached Dubai after travelling 40 Hours, 4 Days, 5 Cities.
After facing too many hurdles, he was finally sent back to his country and hometown on his birthday. On this, the Consulate General of India, Dubai said,
“No better birthday gift to Pothugonda, who returned to Hyderabad today after 13 years, with help from the Consulate in getting his travel documents, fine waiver and ticket to India. A bit challenging for us but happy to assist.”
On his arrival, Pothughonda is kept in institutional quarantine in Hyderabad. After his quarantine, he will be sent to his native village in Nizamabad. However, this is not the first time that the government is helping someone in this situation. A few months ago, Theddu Laxman, a stranded Indian worker in the UAE, who almost lost his hand and overstayed his visit visa by 10-years, met his family in Hyderabad, India. Theddu Laxman’s medical bill of AED 22,000 medical bill and overstay fines of AED362,000 was waved off by the government.