THE Centre and the States held two-day consultantion meeting to discuss various emigration and Diaspora related matters and how best the Centre can partner with the State Governments to provide required support and guidance in effectively addressing the concerns of Overseas Indians.

The establishing of Pravasi Bhartiya Bhavans in all the major labour sending States was also discussed with the States, during the meeting. This included setting up Migrant Resource Centres (MRCs) for dissemination of information about legal migration, job opportunities abroad and counseling to the emigrant workers before their departure. The proposed Bhavans would also focus on the other initiatives of MOIA, i.e. Indian Council of Overseas Employment (ICOE), India Development Fund (IDF), Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) and Skill Up-gradation Centres for migrant workers. These would seek to include proposals of State Governments for opening of new POE offices in state capitals of major labour sending states.