The Hindu Business Line : Govt to set up PM’s Global Advisory Council

Tapping PIO: The Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, unveiling the Pravasi Bharatiya Kendra model at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in the Capital on Tuesday as the Mauritian Prime Minister, Dr Navinchandra Ramgoolam (centre), and the CII President, Mr Sunil Mittal, look on. —

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New Delhi, Jan. 8 Seeking to tap the huge potential of Indians settled abroad, the Government has decided to set up a Prime Minister’s Global Advisory Council consisting People of Indian Origin to draw upon the experience and knowledge of the ‘best Indian minds’.

“The Council would comprise People of Indian Origin (PIO) from a variety of disciplines, who are recognised as leaders in their respective fields, not only in their country of residence but globally as well,” the Prime Minister, Dr Manmohan Singh, said, while inaugurating the sixth Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here on Tuesday.

The Prime Minister also announced a proposal to promote an India Development Foundation to direct overseas Indian philanthropic efforts into human development activities in the country.

Terming the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas as a special day, Dr Singh said that the country took pride in the achievements of the PIOs and noted that “We seek to encourage in every possible way our links and relations with overseas communities of Indian origin.”

“It is also our sincere desire to benefit from the vast reservoir of technological, managerial and entrepreneurial skills represented by overseas Indian communities,” he added.

Development Foundation

He also said that the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs is examining a proposal for setting up the India Development Foundation as a non-profit trust to serve as a credible institutional mechanism to direct overseas Indian philanthropic propensities into human development in the country.

“The Foundation will assist overseas Indians to contribute to the cause of education, health and rural development in their home village, district or state. The Government has also approved the policy framework for setting up a PIO university in the country for the benefit of children of overseas Indians from across the globe,” Dr Singh said.

The Prime Minister reiterated that the current conditions were favourable for the Indian economy to sustain a growth rate of 9-10 per cent in the coming few years.

“The year 2007 has been a good year for the Indian economy. The growth process now under way will transform our economy to emerge as a major powerhouse of the globalised world,” Dr Singh said.

Workers resource centre

The Prime Minister added that the growth rate targets would require a determined effort to raise the savings and investment rates. “Though the bulk of resources for development must come from home, it’s our sincere desire to create a framework that will provide profitable opportunities for overseas Indians to invest in India’s development,” Dr Singh said.

He also announced the launch of an Overseas Workers Resource Centre which would provide relevant information and assistance to potential migrant workers and operate a multi-lingual helpline for grievance redressal and intervention for overseas Indian workers in distress.