Granting Overseas Citizen of India status
Persons of Indian Origin of all countries, except Pakistan and Bangladesh who fulfill certain conditions, are eligible to apply and become Overseas Citizens of India (OCI). OCIs are entitled to multiple-entry, multi-purpose, life-long visas with no requirement of registration with police. Hence they can live and work in India or in the country of their naturalization. OCIs are not entitled to hold constitutional posts and employment in the Government. They are however eligible to work in the private sector. OCIs enjoy parity with NRIs in respect of economic, financial and educational fields except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties.
A proposal to grant voting rights to Indian citizens who are not ordinarily resident in India on account of employment, education or otherwise has been approved by the Government. The facility will meet a long-standing demand of Indian workers in the Gulf who take up employment there on a contract basis and cannot be naturalized in the countries they work. The facility will be granted after Parliament approves the necessary amendments to the Representation of the People Act. A Bill in this regard is expected to be introduced in the current session of Parliament.
Both OCI and grant of voting rights are part of Government’s efforts to promote a broader and stronger engagement with the Indian diaspora.
This information was given by Shri Vayalar Ravi, Minister in the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs in reply to a question by Shri Pankaj Chowdhary, Shri Eknath M. Gaikwad, Smt. Nivedita Mane and Shri Kirti Vardhan Singh.
AK/SK/JA