PANJIM: The Congress party
in Goa has decided to approach the Central government in connection with the
debated issue of dual citizenship urging it to accept an amendment to ensure
those registered their births in Portugal should not lose their voting rights
in Goa.
In a press statement issued
by Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik brought to the notice of the State that the
issue does not come under the domain of Collectors while also a notification
issued on November 22, 2016 was to protect voting rights of Goans. The Congress
leader also accused the Centre of complicating the issue of dual citizenship.
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“Since a number of Goans
registered their births in Portugal, it was argued by some that they cease to
be Indian citizens, which was not the correct position of law. The issue is
altogether a different matter and, the Government of India, it appears, is
presently, not inclined to consider the issue. However, Goa Congress has
decided to pursue the matter with the government, which is an independent matter,
not covered by present notification,” he stated.
Naik explained that the
limited object of the notification is to ensure that the names of those who
have merely registered their births in Portugal should not lose their voting
rights in Goa. Infact, he had taken up the issue vigorously with the Home
Ministry, and even introduced a bill in the Rajya Sabha to amend The
Citizenship Act 1955.
He further stated that
instead of issuing the notification, it would have been ideal if the Centre had
accepted his amendment , introduced in the Rajya Sabha, which he proposed to
section 9 of Citizenship Act 1955. He had proposed to add a proviso after sub –
section (1) which said that, “ provided
further that no citizen of India, shall be deemed to have lost his citizenship
merely on grounds of his or her availing the facility conferred by the order
enacted by Portuguese Government, of registering their births in Portugal, to
the Indian citizens, residing in the territory of erstwhile Union Territory of
Goa, Daman and Diu and the Union Territory of Dadra and Nagar Haveli, then
ruled by the Government of Portugal, unless such Indian citizens voluntarily
apply for the citizenship of that country with specific intension of renouncing
the citizenship of India.”
He alleged that the
procedure presently adopted by the Central Government is cumbersome and will
create tremendous hardships. “It is only those Indian citizens residing in Goa
who have obtained Portuguese passport will cease to be Indian citizens and
therefore will have no voting rights but others will enjoy their full voting
rights. The Centre which speaks of Ease
of Doing Business, Digital India, simplification of laws, facilities for NRIs,
has unfortunately made a mess of citizenship issue,” he added.
