Round The World
New
Delhi, 23 December 2014
Overseas
Indians
GREATER
INTEGRATION CRITICAL
By Ashok B
Sharma
India must take immediate
steps to integrate its diaspora spread across the globe in millions to be
partners in country's progress. Their participation in both economic and
political activities, particularly in the decision-making process is essential.
Sadly, not much effort has been made to foster greater integration of overseas
Indians, who should not only have the right to vote and also be represented as
nominated members in the Upper House of Parliament, Rajya Sabha. Suitable
amendments to the Constitution should be initiated to give dual citizens to
overseas Indians. The decision to allow political participation of
overseas India
will give them added impetus to invest in economic activity in the country.
Unfortunately, there is no correct
estimate of overseas Indians. The Government estimates the number at 25
million, others say it is 26 million and some say 27 million. The estimates are
based on 19th century and early 20th century migrations. It does not take into
account the number of Indians settled in the immediate neighbourhood and
beyond, particularly in South-East Asia, Sri Lanka and other places where
native Indians settled in course of trade and cultural relations and
establishment of early Hindu kingdoms. This process began as early as between
1st to 4th century.
The diaspora services division,
Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has categorised Indians settled or working
abroad into four distinct categories. These are: Non-Resident Indians (NRIs)
who are Indian citizens working abroad, majority of whom are in West Asia and North Africa. The NRIs, being Indian citizens, have their
right to cast their franchise in the country. The next two categories are
Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) and Overseas Citizens of India (OCI). The
distinction between the two is narrow, both being legal citizens. The PIOs and
OCI are not qualified to vote the country as the Constitution does not
recognise extension of dual citizen status to anyone. The last and fourth
category of overseas Indians recognised by the Government is “those overseas
Indians whose forefathers migrated from India in the 19th and early 20th
century.”
One of the major challenges to
integrate the diaspora into the political and economic mainstream of the
country is to give them the right to vote and thus make them equal partners in
the decision-making process. While there is no legal problem for NRIs to cast
their franchise as they continue to be Indian citizens, only technical hurdles
remain that need to be removed to smoothen the process. First, the NRIs need to
be registered as voters in their constituency.
Next, the provision should be made
that they can cast their vote in the place of their work. The suggestion of
Minister of External Affairs and Overseas Indian Affairs Sushma Swaraj for
placing electronic voting machines (EVMs) in Indian missions abroad doesn’t
really look as a practical and rational solution as a busy NRI in a far-flung
area has to cover distances to reach the Indian mission. Rather, online voting
through smart phones and computers could be a logical and rational solution.
The process of integration of PIOs
and OCI into the political mainstream and in decision-making process can only
be achieved through a suitable Constitutional amendment, which can also enable
them to be nominated members of the Rajya Sabha. There should be an umbrella
organisation of overseas Indians in each of the six inhabited continents and
each such organisation should select or elect a person to be nominated to the
House.
Recall, Prime Minister Narendra Modi
had assured overseas Indians at Madison
Square in US, Allophones’ Arena in Sydney, Nay Pyi
Taw that the PIO card and OIC cards would be merged so that both the categories
enjoy the same benefits. At present OIC card holders have many privileges over
the PIO cardholders such as a multiple entry multi-purpose life-long visa for
visiting India,
while the latter are allowed only 180-day stay. The OIC cardholders enjoy
exemption from registration with local police authority for any length of stay
in India
unlike the PIO cardholders.
Additionally, the OIC cardholders
enjoy parity with NRIs in respect of economic, financial and educational
fields, except in relation to acquisition of agricultural or plantation
properties, in entry fee for visiting national monuments, historical sites,
museums, national parks and wildlife sanctuaries as well as in domestic air
fares in India.
Further, they enjoy parity with NRIs
to practice as doctors, dentists, nurses, pharmacists, advocates, architects
and chartered accountants as per the laws in the country. Like NRIs, the OCI
cardholders can appear in All India Pre-Medical Test (AIPMT) or such other
tests in India
to make them eligible for admissions in relevant institutes. They can file an
affidavit to declare their address in India
for purpose of availing services like securing admission of their children to
educational institutions in India,
obtaining driving licences, gas connections, residential telephones and mobile
phones, electricity and water connections. They have preferences in matters of
inter-country adoption of Indian children.
The merger of PIO card and OIC cards
will enable the PIOs to enjoy benefits at par with the OIC. Further, there is a
need to consider extending many of the benefits enjoyed by NRIs to PIOs and OIC
so that greater integration of overseas Indians with the country of their
origin is achieved at a faster rate.
There is also a need to do much for
the welfare of the NRIs, who send back remittances amounting to $70 billion a
year – this is a major source of external flow into the country as compared to
the foreign direct investments (FDIs) the country has received since 1992 which
amounted to $214 billion. India
had rightly raised the issue of lowering the tax imposed on remittances to 5%
at G20 Brisbane Summit. It should now take up the issue with each destination
countries of NRIs.
Further, the issues of social security,
labour issues and employment should be taken up with these countries through
modifying existing agreements or striking new ones. Legal assistance and
financial help should be extended in their times of need. At home, the
Government should crack down on fake recruitment done by agencies for sending
people for being employed abroad. Marriage frauds of NRIs and other overseas
Indians should be discouraged.
The list is long raising the big
question whether the Government will have more to offer at the ensuing 13th
Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Gandhinagar, Gujarat on January 7-9, 2015, which commemorates
the 100th year of Mahatma Gandhi’s return to India
from South Africa.
The Government’s programmes of Know India
and Mano (accept) India,
are good to generate pride in overseas Indian youth, who are expected to
participate in large numbers. The integration of overseas Indians is critical
for the country’s progress as it seeks their greater participation in economic
activities. ---INFA
(Copyright,
India News and Feature Alliance)
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