Adv Carlos flags UK High Commission’s denial of OCI cards to those whose Indian passports were revoked

Adv Carlos flags UK High Commission’s denial of OCI cards to those whose Indian passports were revoked

PORVORIM: Aldona Congress MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira on Friday drew attention of the House to the problems faced by Goans holding Portuguese passports, who reside in the United Kingdom who are being denied Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card.

Raising the issue as a zero hour mention, Adv Carlos pointed out that despite a directive from the Ministry of External affairs dated 04/04/2024 which permitted individuals from Goa, Daman and Diu who suffered revocation of Indian passport to also be eligible to apply for an OCI card, the Indian High Commission in the UK is denying them OCI cards claiming that it has not received any instruction.

“Several Goans who have applied for OCI cards in London in the lurch,” Adv Carlos also said.

Chief Minister Pramod Sawant said he was taking note of the legislator’s complaints.

The Government of India, had earlier allowed, even those whose passports have been revoked to apply for OCI cards irrespective of whether the passports were surrendered or revoked. Several of those who gave up Indian citizenship, who at the time of surrender of their Indian passport, were told that their passports were being revoked instead.

This gave rise to an issue which meant that their applications for OCI cards were not being processed favourably. Following intervention by the Goa government the issue was resolved and the Ministry of External Affairs issued a directive directing that OCI cards be granted even if the passport was revoked.