MAPUSA
Aldona MLA Carlos Ferreira has raised concerns over the Indian government's process for issuing Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards to individuals of Goan origin who have acquired Portuguese nationality.
Ferreira highlighted the case of a minor residing in the UK, who received a show-cause notice from the Indian High Commissioner for allegedly contravening rules by obtaining an Indian passport after birth registration in Portugal.
According to Ferreira, the minor had obtained an Indian passport in March 2015 as a minor, followed by Portuguese registration in September 2015. Despite renewing the Indian passport in 2020, the minor acquired a Portuguese passport in December 2023 before reaching adulthood in January 2024. An application for an OCI card was filed in January 2024, and subsequently, a show-cause notice arrived in May 2024 questioning the renewal of the Indian passport post-Portuguese registration.
Ferreira criticised the inconsistency in requirements from Indian missions abroad, where renunciation certificates are demanded even after passport surrender due to birth registration in Portugal, complicating the OCI application process.
He cited constitutional Article 9, stating that acquiring foreign citizenship results in the automatic cessation of Indian citizenship.
Ferreira argued for clarity from the central government, emphasising that those registering births in Portugal should automatically cease to be Indian citizens without the need for additional renunciation certificates.
Ferreira called for a one-time amnesty scheme for Goans who registered births in Portugal but continue to reside in India without utilising their Portuguese citizenship rights fully.
He highlighted potential challenges faced by such individuals in property ownership, banking, employment, and business transactions under foreign exchange regulations.
The MLA urged the central government to provide clear guidelines to avoid international confusion and ensure consistent application of citizenship laws.
For further developments, Ferreira awaits a definitive response from the central government on these issues.
