GOPIO asks India to reconsider new rules on passport
WASHINGTON:
A prominent NRI group has launched an online petition asking the Indian
Government to reconsider the retroactive enforcement of the new rules on
the
surrender of Indian passport by those who have acquired citizenship of
other
countries.
The Global Organisation for the People of Indian Origin
(GOPIO) says the new rules impose undue and unnecessary burden on the
persons of
Indian origin.
"The notice posted on the website of several Indian
embassies and consulates stipulates that Persons of Indian Origin who
have
acquired citizenship of other countries are required to surrender their
Indian
passports to the nearest consulate within 90 days of their acquisition
of
citizenship of those other countries," the petition says.
It has also
termed the prescribed fee of USD 175 sought from the PIOs in this regard
as
highly atrocious.
Launched by GOPIO Chairman Inder Singh on Saturday,
petition has been signed by more than 850 PIOs so far.
"I have no
objection if the enforcement of the new rules takes effect from the date
of
issue. But retroactive enforcement and requiring people of Indian origin
who got
citizenship of other countries years ago, could cause unimaginable
hardship in
thousands of cases. The minimum service fee of USD 175 for the surrender
certificate is also unduly very high," petition says.
The petition
asked the government to reconsider the new rules as thousands of people
who have
acquired citizenship of other countries could suffer undue and
unnecessary
hardship for no fault of their own.
It also asked to reduce the fee
to a reasonable amount of USD 25.
Source:- The Economic Times
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