According to information received from Ministry of Overseas Affairs in reply to an RTI query, about Rs 5.33 crore of the over Rs 17 crore were collected through surcharges on different consular services under the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) by Consulate General of India in Dubai.
The ICWF is a fund in perpetuity (which is a collection arising from a surcharge on every consular, passport, visa and attestation services rendered by any India Post or Mission overseas) meant for contingency expenditure to carry out welfare activities.
"Total collection under ICWF (from inception) till March 31, 2012 is UAE Dirhams 1,22,92,055, equivalent to Rs 17,31,27,536.90," the reply said.
Advocate Vivek Garg had sought details of Indian Community Welfare Community (ICWC) and ICWF, including their activities from the Indian Mission.
About 1.3 million Indians live in Dubai and Northern Emirates. According to the reply, 466 women, including 134 victims of trafficking, were accommodated in the women's shelter home run by the Consulate since 2005. Of the total, 332 were housemaids, the reply said.
"Since February 2009, a total of Rs 5,33,65,548 have been spent on stipulated welfare activities under the charter of ICWF," it said.
The Consulate, however, declined to give further information on the beneficiary of fund saying it would "disproportionately divert government of India resources for extended durations". (More)