MARGAO: The Centre’s U-turn on the corrigendum by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) with regards to Goan-origin Portuguese citizens applying for Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) cards has sparked a debate in the State with citizens demanding a clarity on the issue, as the fate of thousands of applicants hangs in the balance.
Stating that the corrigendum dated April 30, 2024, issued by the MEA with regards to Goan-origin Portuguese citizens applying for OCI cards, holds no significance, the citizens said that they solely rely on the directives of the High Court of Bombay at Goa, and that the MEA should comply within four weeks, or face contempt.
The citizens stated that the corrigendum exposes the MEA for not applying its mind properly, and opined that the MEA, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the government are not working in tandem.
Goans for Goa (GFG) founder president Kennedy Afonso said, “Goans for Goa would like to state that we are not really concerned or duly worried about the MEA corrigendum dated April 30, 2024. As far as GFG is concerned, this matter is already resolved in the High Court, with the order dated May 6, 2024.”
Former Minister Francisco Xavier ‘Mickky’ Pacheco alleged that the April 30 corrigendum was kept under wraps deliberately by the State government.
Noting that the High Court passed an order on May 6, he said that the government counsel had time to inform the High Court about the April 30 corrigendum before its summer vacation from May 10.
Mickky said that had the corrigendum not been leaked to the media, the government would not have shared it, which changed the April 4 circular’s stance.
Senior advocate Radharao Gracias felt that there should be a scrutiny on the Passport Officer’s powers, which he says is the crux of the issue.
“The Passport Officer has no power to determine whether an Indian has acquired foreign citizenship,” said Adv Gracias.
Adv Aires Rodrigues from Ribandar, hopes that this issue will be brought to its logical conclusion soon. He urged the State government to work with the Government of India to resolve the dilemma faced by those seeking an OCI card after being issued a ‘Revocation Certificate’ of their Indian passport.
Adv Rodrigues pointed out that the long-standing demand for dual nationality by the Indian diaspora remains unresolved, and opined that the recent statement by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar that the issue is under consideration is encouraging.