Minister of State for External Affairs V Muraleedharan said, there are approximately 400 Indian prisoners in various jails in the provinces that are covered by the Consulate General of India, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. In a written reply in Rajya Sabha on Thursday, he said, the Government attaches the highest priority to the safety, security and well-being of Indians in Saudi Arabia. The Minister said, Indian Mission and Post in Saudi Arabia remain vigilant and closely monitor the incidents of Indian nationals being put in jail for violation or alleged violation of local laws. He said, as soon as the information about the detention or arrest of an Indian national is received by the Consulate General of India, Jeddah, it immediately gets in touch with the local Foreign Office and other concerned local authorities to get consular access to the detained or arrested Indian national to ascertain the facts of the case, confirm his Indian nationality and ensure his welfare.<br />'' <br />''<span style="color: #222222;">Mr Muraleedharan stated that the Mission and Post have also established 24×7 Helplines and Toll-Free Helplines for Indians in Saudi Arabia to seek help. He said, apart from extending all possible consular assistance to Indians imprisoned in Saudi Arabia, Indian Mission and Post also assist in providing legal aid wherever needed. The Minister said, Mission and Post also maintain a local panel of lawyers and no fee is charged from any Indian prisoner for extending facilities by the Indian Consulate. He informed the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) is set up in Indian Missions & Posts abroad for assisting overseas Indian nationals in distress situations in deserving cases. Mr Muraleedharan said, the support extended under ICWF includes financial assistance to Indian prisoners for legal aid as well as travel documents or air tickets during repatriation. He said, Government makes every possible effort to get imprisoned Indian nationals released from Saudi jails.</span><br />