Restore OCI card status,deny dual nationality Elvidio Miranda The notification by the Ministry of Home Affairs dated 4th March, 2021 putting curbs on OCI card holders has unnecessarily alienated and placed obstacles that should not be the case, since the OCI in itself granted a few entitlements on the card holder that were bestowed in the absence of dual citizenship. Initially, there were two cards namely `Person of Indian Origin" (PIO) and the `Overseas Citizen of India' (OCI), the former being merged to form only OCI card holders. Exchanges for the purpose of research, journalism and mission work as well as money transfer with limits not being subject to Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) would be a global facility that would facilitate smooth and cordial relations with persons of Indian origin and overseas citizens of India as the world has now become a unified entity and at least for those originating from India should be given preferential treatment. It augurs badly on the part of MHA to consider Indian origin people as `foreigners' and not bestow entitlements by virtue of having Indian roots. Not for political mileage, but as a matter of cordial relations with people of Indian origin, it would be prudent to withdraw the notification forthwith as the same is discriminatory towards persons of Indian origin.
