The 32-million nri strong global overseas Indian community is reeling under a sudden change: The latest government ordinance has deprived Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) of many of their rights. Formerly, enjoying a status very close to that of Indian citizens they are now aghast to discover that they have been reclassified as ‘foreigners’.
The seemingly easy access to their homeland is a thing of the past. They now require permission as any other foreigner enjoy to visit Jammu and Kashmir or Arunachal Pradesh. What was once a smooth relationship of Ownership has become wrapped up in bureaucracy with India.
The new rules for OCI cards have angered the NRI diaspora as many say they were caught unawares with the new development. NRI based in Canada named Mr. Raja Naik added his voice on the issue, he said, “This sounds absurd it resembles to crackdown of the North Korea. While some people think that these restrictions are put into place to curb security threats, many others opine that the restrictions are too much aiferay hr and portal cell sincere and honest NRIs and OCIs are subjected to a lot of hassles.Aditya Arora an NRI presently residing in Germany is already on the receiving end. His wife and children became foreign nationals a few years ago, and now he is trapped. “I had to surrender my Indian citizenship but with these changes I am stateless”. What can one do to reverse this?” he questioned, a concern that has heard countless of his counterpart’s whimper.
One such OCI is Sadhir J, a resident of Bengaluru who has recently returned to the country after living in the US; he felt that most of the changes were utter nonsense. Foreign national designating has resulted in the formation of… bureaucratic barriers for us. Hitherto innocent activities like travel, business or religious practice are now done with permits. There are various limitations with regard to real estate transactions. This is because; it feels like the government of the country is pulling us away while we are eager to invest in the country.
He is the coordinator of the NRI Grievances Forum in Arizona, USA; He has urged for legal recourse of the NRIs’ investment in India.
India for instance is famous for its work force especially in the technolog and medical fields. These new restrictions are an insult. Therefore, what we need is, the government should bring a Non-Residential Indians Overseas Citizens of Indian Investment Protection Bill,” he pointed.
It comes down to unimaginable economic consequences. Sandeep S: Being an NRI in California myself I know that OCIs are among the big players in the Indian FDI. ‘We take Billions in white money home’ This is not only safe; this is trust in its element of fundamental necessities and unavoidable contingencies we otherwise take for granted. Indeed, it’s been cited that if the government continually alters the rules, investors will run elsewhere. We’ve had currency devaluation, the problems with land grabbing and now this. We invest because we still feel this is our India.
Amit Gupta, an engine of an Indian community group based in the US, became another influencer to call out the diaspora. “As the founder of Indian. Comrades, I appeal to the Indian government not to limit recent measures of registrative rights of OCI cardholders and start dialog with diaspora leaders. The Indians form an integral part of the society and hence any policies that affect their relationship with India shouid allow them to value the contributions they have made. The government can work out strategies that address the security of the country while at the same time offering the NRIs an opportunity to venture and invest in the growth of their nation of origin by receiving input from leaders across the diaspora.
When more and more people discover what the new rules entail, this is how the OCI community has ended up feeling bitterly betrayed. They have been the connecting link, in business investments as well as personal relationships, between India and the rest of the world. Immanuel Gollapudi, an NRI based in Germany, voiced his concerns: “These restrictions have added a further pressure on OCI cardholders.” Hence, an OCI is an important economic player in India. Lessening our rights means people pay lesser visits and this may bear a financial implication. This is indicative of how India’s position on managing its diaspora affairs changed with its domestic policies.)
Former Indian diplomat CP Ravindran, who has served as ambassador to several nations, noted: It is just the matter of visa for entry that seems to matters most to OCIs. The previous OCI rules were much less strict.”
References:
