TUESDAY, MAY 07, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Goa Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Shet Tanavade on Friday urged the Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar to reconsider the decision of revoking Indian passports emphasising that revoking Indian passports solely based on birth registration in Portugal was unwarranted.
Raising the matter during zero hour in the Upper House, Tanavade stated that the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) should allow the renewal of Indian passports for such individuals until they acquire the official citizenship document from the Portuguese government. This measure is crucial to facilitating their travel and ensuring their well-being during the transition period until their Portuguese passports are ready.
Stating that revocation of Indian passports are is based on considering birth registration in Portugal as the effective date of acquiring citizenship, Tanavade pointed out the revocation had affected substantial number of individuals in Goa and that the Regional Passport Office, Panjim has so far revoked over 70 passports subsequent to registering their births in Portugal.
Furthermore, the Goa Rajya Sabha MP proposed that the MEA expedite the process, enabling individuals to promptly obtain OCI (Overseas Citizenship of India) cards upon acquiring Portuguese citizenship.
Meanwhile, welcoming the proactive stance taken by Rajya Sabha MP Tanavade, Environment Minister Aleixo Sequeira said that this initiative holds particular significance for many of his constituents, especially those in his (Nuvem) constituency, who apply for Portuguese passports for better prospects but often face delays in the process.
“I express my appreciation on behalf of my constituents to Rajya Sabha MP for this action. I hope the Ministry of External Affairs swiftly resolves this matter for the benefit of all concerned,” said Sequeira.
