Convert PIO cards to OCI cards, PM tells overseas Indians
Bengaluru: Castigating the opponents of demonetisation, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday took a swipe at those calling the government’s move “anti-people”, saying these were “political worshippers” (rajnaitik poojaris) of graft and black money which had adversely impacted the economy and polity.
“It is unfortunate that some political worshippers (rajnaitik poojari) of black money are calling our efforts anti-people,” he said in his address at the 14th edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (PBD) here.
Modi said the government had taken up ‘a big fight’ against corruption and blackmoney, which had been gradually making the polity, society and administration “hollow”.
“…You might have noticed and heard that we have taken up a big fight against black money. Black money and corruption are making our polity, society and administration hollow gradually,” he said at the three-day event, which is being billed as the largest ever.
Asserting that the government was committed in its fight against black money and corruption, the Prime Minister thanked the overseas Indian community for their support to it.
Emphasising the role played by overseas Indians in the country’s development, the Prime Minister said they have made an “invaluable contribution” to the Indian economy by investing about 69 billion US dollars. “For me, FDI has two definitions — one is ‘Foreign Direct Investment’ and the other is ‘First Develop India’,” he said, asserting that “I can say with full confidence that 21st century belong to India.” Indian origin Prime Minister of Portugal, Antonio Costa, was the chief guest at the convention, which was attended by Chief Ministers of several states including Siddaramaiah of Karnataka, partner to the event, and central ministers.
Referring to the earlier trend of brain drain, he said “we want to change brain drain to brain gain” and added that the government will soon launch a skill development programme ‘Pravasi Kaushal Vikas Yojna’ for the Indian youth seeking employment abroad.
He said the government’s effort was to provide maximum facilitation and ensure least inconvenience for those workers who seek economic opportunities abroad. Noting that the Indian diaspora represents the best of Indian culture, ethos and values and is respected for its contributions, Modi said the welfare and safety of all Indians abroad was his government’s “top priority”.
Meanwhile, government is working to put in place procedures for making descendants of the indentured labour living in Fiji and other countries eligible for OCI cards, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday.
“Starting with Mauritius, we are working to put in place procedures so that descendants of Girmitiyas could become eligible for OCI Cards. We remain committed to addressing similar difficulties of PIOs in Fiji, Reunion Islands, Suriname, Guyana and other Caribbean States,” he said in his address at the 14th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas here.
Girmityas are descendents of indentured Indian labourers who were brought to Fiji to work on sugarcane plantations in mid-1800s. The Prime Minister also urged the People of Indian Origin (PIO) to convert their cards into Overseas Citizen of India cards, reiterating the government’s decision to extend the deadline for these card conversions from December 31 last year to June 30, without any penalty.
“From January 1 this year, beginning with Delhi and Bengaluru, we have set up special counters at immigration points for OCI cardholders. We want it to become a symbol of global migration, achievements and aspirations of the diaspora,” he said. (PTI)