MEA SPECIAL KUWAIT CELL

UNTRACED CLAIMANTS


United Nations Compensation Commission, Geneva (UNCC) had approved payment of compensation to the eligible claimants who were victims of the Gulf War 1990-91. The applicants whose claims were found successful by the UNCC were individually intimated by the Special Kuwait Cell, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA, SKC), New Delhi, as well as by the four designated Banks through communication sent from time to time. However a number of successful claimants did not contact MEA (SKC) or the designated Bank for completing the stipulated formalities for disbursement of the approved claim amounts to them and consequently the amounts has been returned to UNCC.


A list of such claimants, as supplied by UNCC, containing 8,615 names has been put on the Ministry of External Affairs’ website – http://www.meaindia.nic.in (Under MEA links SPECIAL KUWAIT CELL). Persons whose name and passport number appear in this list may write to Shri A.K.Pandya, Director, Special Kuwait Cell, Ministry of External Affairs, 2nd Floor, ISIL Building, 9 Bhagwandas Road, New Delhi – 110001, mentioning their present address and enclosing photocopy of the first four pages of their passport. The envelope and the letter should bear the notation “UNTRACED CLAIMANTS”. On proper identification, the detailed prescribed formalities will be communicated to them and on completion thereof, the disbursement of their approved claim will be processed.


It is to clarify that mere appearance of the name of the claimant hereunder will not entitle them for the claim amount, which will be payable only on receipt of funds from UNCC. There is no liability on the Government of India or the four designated Banks for payment of the claim amounts as the Banks through the Government of India are only disbursing agencies. Full care has been taken in mentioning correct names and passport numbers of the successful claimants, yet there is no liability for any error that might have inadvertently crept in. It is to further clarify that there is no fresh award or sanction, and there is no call for fresh claims. The list is only of untraced amongst earlier successful claimants.


At present the deadline for locating and paying these claimants, as decided by UNCC, is September 2006.


KUWAIT
May 17, 2006