Rediff campaign: Scrap new rules that harass PIOs

A recent notice posted on the web site of many Indian embassies and consulates contains controversial new rules for Persons of Indian Origin who have acquired citizenship in other countries.

Among other rules, the notice says that the PIOs must surrender their old Indian passports to the nearest Indian consulate within 90 days of acquiring citizenship in another country. Also mandatory is a surrender (of Indian citizenship) certificate, which comes with a price tag of $175. There are also steep penalties for a variety of things.

It all began with the rule that those applying for the Overseas Citizen of India card should renounce their Indian citizenship and get a surrender certificate paying $175 -- in addition to the $275 for the OCI card. They should produce old passports (valid/expired) for cancellation.

The government has also decided to retroactively enforce these rules, requiring PIOs who took citizenship of other countries years ago to turn in their old Indian passports. Those unable to produce old passports may now suffer hardship and delay in getting Indian consular services, including those who have travelled unfettered to India for years, before the rule's implementation! 

Likewise, if a PIO has lost, damaged or surrendered his or her Indian passport to a foreign government, he or she is required to furnish certified copies of a plethora of documents, as directed by the notice from Indian embassies and consulates.

Many PIOs who take citizenship in other countries had no use for their old Indian passport details, and may have lost or misplaced them. Producing the documentation required could possibly take months while, in the meantime, Indian consular services will not be available to them, even for emergency situations.

The new rules have naturally riled the large and influential overseas Indian population. On the one hand the government keeps praising them for their service to the motherland and serving as unofficial ambassadors to the nation, while on the other they have been jacked by an insensitive bureaucracy.

The new rules clearly go against the government's policy of celebrating the PIO's  achievement. Voice your displeasure with the Government of India's new measures by filling in the form below, and we will make sure your voice is heard!