TEAM HERALD
teamherald@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar on Tuesday assured the State Legislative Assembly that he would inquire into the matter of a Superintendent of Police, holding dual citizenship. He said that legal opinion would be sought in the matter.
Parrikar said that the issue is of a serious nature and has lot of legal implications. “We would seek legal opinion and will also contact the Portuguese embassy for details. The issue would be settled within the next six months,” he said.
Chief Minister clarified that ‘Government of Goa in 1962 had clearly directed those who wanted to retain Portuguese citizenship, to give in writing within 30 days. Only those would be counted as Portuguese nationals and rest (of the population would be considered) as Indian/ Goan.’
He was replying to the question tabled by Nuvem MLA Francisco Pacheco who brought to the notice of the House that one of the SP holds dual citizenship and that he has registered his birth with the Conservatoria dos Registos Centrals de Lisboa.
It may be recalled that a case has been filed against SP Allen de Sa and others before Bombay High Court at Goa for holding dual citizenship.
Chief Minister said that government has received a complaint in this regard from Nuvem MLA and it is under examination.
Chief Minister Manohar Parrikar Tuesday told the House that around 22,000 Goans have opted to register with the Portuguese authorities, after Mickky Pacheco raised the point of a police officer having registered his birth in Portugal. Parrikar agreed that he would probe this issue but stated that there was nothing wrong in registering birth in two countries.
He also brought up the complaints against two MLAs who are presently facing a problem in this regard.
However, MLA Mauvin Godinho brought another view to this arguing that the House should not consider this as anti-national act since Goans take Portuguese passports to get better employment.
Parrikar argued that multiple registration of birth does not amount to losing Indian citizenship, but having foreign passport would result into losing Indian citizenship.
According to an Assembly reply, around 800 Goans from St Andre constituency have Portuguese passports.
