The 24th convention of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has expressed concern over the growing tendency among the relatives of overseas Indians to grab their ancestral property.
A resolution adopted at the end of the two-day convention said the share of the People of Indian Origin (PIOs) and non-resident Indians (NRIs) in their ancestral properties was being grabbed by relatives in connivance with local authorities and unscrupulous elements.
The resolution also noted that women living overseas were also being denied a fair share of their parental property by manipulating the distribution process.
The resolution urged the Union Government to set up fast track courts exclusively to settle property-related matters pertaining to PIOs and NRIs.
The convention also passed six other resolutions. One is related to the limit imposed on the gold NRIs can carry with them when they visit the country. The current rules allow gold jewellery worth Rs 10,000 for men and Rs 20,000 for women.
“This means that the allowance is only three grams of gold for a man and six grams for a woman. If a limit must be put, it should at least be 25 grams for a man and 50 grams for a lady,” the resolution added.
Another resolution called for an International Indian Emigration Day in order to better connect the diaspora.
The convention, which was attended by delegates from 30 countries, explored challenges and opportunities before the diaspora and reviewed their economic progress.
H. Bhardwaj, Governor of Kerala and Karnataka, gave away the GOPIO Community Service Awards 2013 to seven PIOs/NRIs and conferred special recognition on five.