Team Herald
PANJIM: After years of indecision, the Centre has finally decide d to address the dual citizenship issue in Goa and has empowered the two district magistrates to examine the issue of Indian and Portuguese citizenship in the State.
The collectors of North and South Goa will be responsible to scrutinise each application in terms of the Indian Citizenship Act 1955 and Citizenship Rules of 2009, and submit the findings and reports on each case to the Centre, according to the Home Ministry’s notification.
In its order issued on Tuesday, the Home Ministry said, “State Government would forward these recommendations to the Central Government along with its comments. The inquiry shall be conducted in fair and transparent manner keeping in mind the provisions contained in the Act and the Citizenship Rule, 2009.” The notification will be valid for two years, the home ministry said.
An estimated 50,000 Goans enjoying dual citizenship of India and Portugal are likely to be impacted by this exercise, sources said, adding that many of them were issued ‘bill of identity’ by the Portuguese authority.
According to the State government, the rise in number of people applying for Portuguese citizenship was witnessed after 1986 when Portugal became a member of EU.
The issue took a serious form in 2012 when a case was filed in the High Court of Bombay at Goa against Goa Vikas Party MLA Caetano de Silva for disqualification since he had registered his birth in Portugal and as per rules he ceases to be Indian national.
This situation, according to officials has given rise to serious problems relating to nationality and citizenship such as non-surrender of Indian passport on acquisition of Portuguese nationality, illegal stay in India, violations of Foreigners’ Act, or registration by a third party without the consent or knowledge of the concerned person.
A verification by the Centre in 2015 had revealed that several politicians, police officers, and bureaucrats hold Portuguese citizenship, however, many claimed that it had been done without their knowledge.
(with inputs from agencies)
