The Hindu Business Line : Dual citizenship for PIOs may be launched on Jan 9

WITH Parliament passing the Citizenship (Amendment) Bill, 2003, the Government plans to launch the scheme of dual citizenship for Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) during the second Pravasiya Bhartiya Diwas that begins here on January 9.

The Amendment to the Citizenship Act, 1955, will allow PIOs in 16 countries, which include the US, the UK, Australia, Canada, Italy, Israel, Portugal, France and New Zealand, to acquire Indian citizenship. The Bill also has provision for expanding the list of countries at a later date.

The Government believes that the new law will enable the PIOs to travel freely to the country and "contribute to the cause of national development".

The formal announcement of the scheme is likely to be made by the Prime Minister, Mr Atal Bihari Vajpayee, during the Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas, according to a Government spokesperson.

In his address at the first Pravasi Bharatiya Diwas last January, Mr Vajpayee had promised a scheme of dual citizenship to PIOs. Accordingly, the Bill was introduced in Parliament on May 9, and passed by the Rajya Sabha on December 18. The Lok Sabha cleared it on Monday after all parties got together to support the Amendment.

The amendment will simplify the procedure of re-acquisition of Indian citizenship by grown-up children of Indian citizens or former Indian citizens. The bill also provides for grant of overseas citizenship of India to PIOs in the 16 specified countries and Indian citizens who choose to acquire citizenship of any of these countries at a later date.

The law will also make acquisition of Indian citizenship and naturalisation more stringent and prevent illegal migrants from becoming eligible for Indian citizenship.

The PIOs who acquire dual citizenship will however, not be eligible to vote in India or seek appointment to any constitutional post. They will also not be able to claim equality of opportunity in matters of public employment under Article 16 of the Constitution.

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication

Stories in this Section
Dual citizenship for PIOs may be launched on Jan 9

To streamline disciplinary mechanism — 3 separate Bills introduced for professional institutes

Inter-Govt ad war drains Rs 1.5 cr from exchequer