The Hindu Business Line : PM to launch overseas citizen scheme at Pravasi meet

THE Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, will launch the Overseas Citizen Scheme during the inaugural session of the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas 2006 (PBD) slated for January 7-9, by handing over the first PIO (Person of India Origin) card.

Addressing a press conference here on Friday, the Union Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs and in-charge of the fourth edition of PBD, Mr Oscar Fernandes, said this scheme would do away with the earlier restricted option for persons of Indian origin. With this, they will have dual citizenship.

Alongside this, the Government will launch a Universal Electronic Remittance Gateway that will be extremely useful for non-resident Indians. This will enable NRIs to transfer funds to their family members in India through this gateway.

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has tied up with UTI Bank to offer this facility, an official from the Ministry said.

Mr Fernandes said about 1,200 overseas delegates and 800 Indian representatives would participate in the event. Apart from serving as a platform to network, this will enable interaction with the participating overseas delegates on investment, research and other partnership opportunities in the State and the country.

The Union Minister said the Government expects to announce creation of special vehicles that facilitate investments by overseas Indians in India, a collaborative research institution and an e-based Indian diaspora knowledge network — a platform that will facilitate global information exchange and networking between overseas Indians and India.

The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy, said: "The event would be hosted at a new convention centre coming up near the Hitec City. By all estimates, the largest percentage of overseas Indians in North America have their roots in Andhra Pradesh. A large number are also settled in other parts of the world. We would like to cultivate a sustainable relationship with them for the economic, social and cultural development of the State."

"Their initiatives would be well supported by various departments of the State Government as also special agency AP Invest created to assist investors," Dr Reddy assured.

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