New ICWF guidelines effective from September 1

> Boarding and lodging assistance for distressed Indians for up to a maximum of 60 days on a means tested basis > Providing one-way air ticket to deserving stranded Indians >Two-way airfare to a doctor/ attendant to accompany the primary beneficiary in case of any disability, on recommendation of the hospital. > Legal assistance on a means tested basis to deserving Indians who have committed minor crimes, offences or have been falsely implicated by their employer and put in jails; fishermen, seamen, sailors, Indian students in distress and Indian women abandoned/ cheated/ abused by their NRI/PIO or foreign spouses up to seven years after their marriage. > Providing expenditure incurred on incidentals and airlifting of mortal remains of deceased Indian national to India or for local cremation > For transportation of mortal remains to India — free of cost letter to Air India/Indian Airlines or pay for the one way airfare > Payment of small fines for illegal stay where prima facie the worker is not at fault > Payment of penalties in respect of Indian nationals in jails/detention centres for minor offences > Providing emergency medical care to deserving overseas Indians. The upper limit of medical assistance has been fixed as $5,000 per case. > Support of community activities like Indian cultural programmes, promotion of Indian languages and art forms, welfare activities for Indian students etc. > Provision for improving consular services like hiring of interpreters, organising labour camps, development of e-governance solutions etc.