PANJIM: The State government has issued a public notice inviting applications regarding cases of Portuguese nationality and registration of births in Portugal.
“The Government of Goa invites applications and/or objections accompanied by all supporting documents, from the residents of the State of Goa, within a period of three months from the date of issue of this Public Notice, for the purpose of inquiring into the issue of acquisition of citizenship of another country by such residents and make appropriate recommendations to the Central Government, in accordance with the procedure specified in Schedule III of the said Rules,” states the notice by District Collector, North Goa.
The Ministry of Home Affairs on November 22, 2016 had empowered District Collectors to inquire into the acquisition of citizenship of another country and make recommendations to the Centre. This was subject to three conditions, including that the applications and objections shall be invited after due publicity by the District Collector; inquiry shall be conducted in fair and transparent manner, keeping in mind the provisions contained in the said Act and the said Rules; and that after inquiry, the District Collector shall make recommendations to the Central Government giving details of each case.
The District Collectors in Goa had earlier this year put up a proposal before the State government to issue a public notice.
The order will remain in force for a period of two years from the date of publication in the Official Gazette of the Government of India. Around 40,000 people are alleged to have registered their births in Portugal.
