PANAJI
The MEA's circular has thrown open numerous questions, particularly among applicants seeking clarity on its implications. The Goan has gained access to raining inquiries from various parts of India and around the world, who have sought to make the confidential circular public for a better understanding. However, there have been instances till date wherein some applicants including certain agents, are exploiting the perceived ambiguities. A senior official at MEA throws light on some pertinent questions.
Question: Is revocation of an Indian passport only possible on voluntary disclosure?
Answer: People should be responsible for sharing details of their dual nationality which also includes registration of their birth in Portugal, because in this country once you get an Assento, you become their citizen.
Q: What happens if the person never reveals that he also has Assento?
A: Some of them are only trying to find loopholes. Various government agencies within the State and Centre are involved to find out if a person is trying to conceal their dual nationality, which is why everyone has to play responsibly.
Q: What are the implications for many government employees who have acquired Assento or BI but hold Indian passports? Can action be taken?
Only if there is a disclosure of foreign nationality, immaterial whether he or she is a government servant. People will be safe until and unless the dual nationality becomes known.
Q: Once the Indian passport is revoked, is there any way of re-applying for it?
A: It doesn’t make any sense. If you are a foreign national, why would you think of having an Indian passport?
Q: A parent applying for a Portuguese passport and acquiring Assento for the purpose of helping children to migrate. Can he/she relinquish later and restore his/her Indian citizenship?
A: There is no problem with you becoming a Portuguese national but you make sure that you get a Portuguese passport and travel on that document only. But they can come back to India and re-apply for Indian citizenship.
Q: Is there a mechanism to check the status of an Indian citizen “ whether he/she is also a holder of Assento?
A: Unfortunately, at the time of renewal, no passport office will know precisely because there is no sharing of data between the countries for obvious security reasons. If someone has acquired foreign nationality in other nations, we can’t know in our system unless otherwise.
