<strong>The</strong> International News Weekly July 07, 2017 | Toronto 14 BRAMPTON: <strong>The</strong> Constitution of India does not allow a person to hold Indian citizenship and citizenship of a foreign country simultaneously. In 2000, the Indian government set up a high-powered committee to look into possible relaxation for lifetime visa to NRIs. It recommended amendment to the Citizen Act, 1955 to provide wideranging measures for the welfare of NRIs. Accepting the recommendations of the committee, the Central Government launched the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) scheme by amending the Citizenship Act, 1955 for Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) of 16 specified countries other than Pakistan and Bangladesh. <strong>The</strong> scheme was announced at the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2006 held in Hyderabad. <strong>The</strong> then Prime Minister made an announcement at the launch of the OCI Scheme to grant the benefits to all who migrated from India to various countries after Jan 26, 1950, as long as their home countries allow dual citizenship under their local laws. Everything you want to know about OVERSEAS CITIZEN OF INDIA <strong>The</strong> author RPSWALIA is an expert on NRI matter is a former PCS Officer and now an advocate at Punjab & Haryana High Court at Chandigarh,India. Recently he has authored a comprehensive book “Legal Guide for NRIs”with an aim to educate,create awareness and make NRIs aware of their rights and duties in the most appropriate and legal manner. <strong>The</strong> excerpt from the book would be published as a regular column in our newspaper.He can be contacted on direct number +1 647 982 2643 and +91 9878445045(Whatsapp). OCI Scheme versus dual citizenship Generally speaking, most NRIs think that the dual citizenship under the OCI scheme grants them citizenship benefits of India along with benefits of the foreign country already acquired. However, OCI is not to be misconstrued as "dual citizenship". It is because the registered Overseas Citizen of India shall not be entitled to the rights conferred on a citizen of India under Article 16 of the Constitution of India with regards to equality of opportunity in matters of public employment. BENEFITS OF OCI SCHEME 1. A multiple entry, multi-purpose, lifetime visa for visiting India. 2. Exemption from registration with Foreign Regional Registration Officer (FRRO) OR Foreign Registration Officer (FRO) or local police for any length of stay in India. 3. General parity with resident Indians in respect of all facilities available to them in economic, financial and educational fields except in matters to the acquisition of agricultural or plantation properties. 4. <strong>The</strong> Ministry is authorised to issue notifications granting further benefits. THE DETAILS OF THE NOTIFICATIONS ISSUED ARE AS UNDER: Practising the following professions in India in pursuance of the provisions contained in the relevant Acts, namely: Doctors, dentists, nurses , pharmacists, Advocates, Architects and Chartered Accountants WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO REGISTER UNDER OCI SCHEME 1. Who is a citizen of another country but was a citizen of India at the time of or at any time after the commencement of the Constitution; or 2. Who is a citizen of another country but was illegible to become citizen of India at the commencement of the Constitution. 3. Who is a citizen of another country but belonged to territory that became part of India after August 15, 1947, or Who is a child or grandchild of such citizen as named above. 4. A person, who is a minor child of above-mentioned such person, is also eligible to apply for registration. 5. No person, who is or had been a citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh shall be eligible for registration as OCI. 6. <strong>The</strong> application can be made from India or the country of residence of the applicant on the Ministry of Home Affairs website at www.mha.nic.in and the OCI link to Indian embassy website at www.indianembassy.org where details about the OCI schemes are available. Limitation of OCI Scheme 1. OCI does not get an Indian passport. 2. OCI does not enjoy political rights in India, meaning they have no right to vote or cannot run for any political office. 3. OCI cannot be appointed to any public sector, government or judicial appointments. 4. OCI is not allowed to acquire agricultural land or plantation land in India.
<strong>The</strong> International News Weekly July 07, 2017 | Toronto 15