PANAJI
Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday conceded the seriousness of dual citizenship issue and assured the Legislative Assembly that the State government will follow up with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) next weekend.
His assurance came following demands from the Opposition to resolve the problem faced by Goans, where those who registered their birth in Portugal have had their Indian passports revoked. This has led to the denial of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) status coupled with visa complications.
“The issue is serious and also helpful for the citizens. This matter has already been flagged before the Ministry of Home Affairs and the MEA. I will take an appointment from the MEA for February 17 or 18, since I am in Delhi for two days,” he told the House during a discussion on a private member’s resolution on OCI and dual citizenship.
The CM also urged the Opposition to share inputs in order to draft a proposal, which will be submitted to the MEA during this Delhi visit.
Congress’ Aldona legislator Carlos Ferreira had tabled the resolution seeking immediate relief to the ongoing issue, in favour of the Goans.
“… due to the peculiar circumstances by which Goa, Daman & Diu came to be liberated from Portugal and the consequent conferment of Indian citizenship on those erstwhile Portuguese nationals, the Government of India be requested to permit dual citizenship to those covered by the Goa, Daman & Diu Citizenship Order and who have since registered their births in Portugal by virtue of the Portuguese Nationality Law as in force and until such time, those who were under such belief that they had not acquired foreign citizenship by mere registration of their births in Portugal, be permitted to cancel their Indian passports and obtain OCI cards,” reads the resolution, which was supported by other leaders in the House.
Ferreira, Goa's former Advocate General, also brought to the notice of the House that some Goans whose births are registered in Portugal don’t even possess a Portuguese passport. He further cited former MLA Caitu Silva’s dual nationality issue wherein the Government of India, in 2017, declared him an Indian citizen.
Goa Forward Party (GFP) MLA Vijai Sardesai pointed to a Cabinet minister’s dual citizenship status while demanding to know why MEA’s November 2022 circular has not been made public.
“Resolve the issue before the elections,” he demanded. Several other MLAs referred to various circumstances for registration of birth in Portugal while adding that many of them do not wish to settle in Portugal or give up their Indian passport.
The resolution was withdrawn after the CM assured the House to raise it before the MEA on Feb 17 or 18.
