PANJIM: The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), New Delhi has done a volte-face over the ‘Revocation Certificate’ for OCI registration by issuing a corrigendum stating that the ‘Revocation certificate’ as alternative document in lieu of ‘Surrender Certificate’ is under consideration of the Ministry of Home Ministry (MHA).
The corrigendum has diluted the earlier circular issued by the MEA dated April 4, 2024, which had stated that the MHA had decided to accept revocation certificates instead of surrender certificates.
While, an image of the corrigendum dated April 30, 2024 issued by the MEA vis-à-vis circular dated April 4, 2024, being circulated on social media, no confirmation was forthcoming from the government authorities, including the counsels for the Union government.
When contacted, Regional Passport Officer Nijo Varghese on Monday confirmed about issuing of a corrigendum dated April 30, 2024 by the MEA, stating that revocation of passports is still under consideration of the MHA.
When asked whether the corrigendum was brought to the notice of the High Court during the hearing on May 6, Varghese said, “We could not do it as we got it (corrigendum) late.”
He said that the passport office will issue `revocation certificate’ to those surrendering Indian passport and it is for the FRRO (Foreigners Regional Registration Office) to decide.
As per the earlier April 4, 2024 circular, the MEA had stated that the MHA had decided to accept revocation certificates instead of surrender certificates.
Also on May 6, the High Court of Bombay at Goa had ruled that individuals seeking OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) cards registration, can apply using revocation certificates as valid documents in lieu of surrender certificates, based on the circular
issued by the MEA on April 4, 2024.
While disposing of two writ petitions, the Court had instructed the Regional Passport Office (RPO) to treat revocation certificates as surrender certificates for the purpose of granting OCI registrations.
It is to be noted that the April 30, 2024 corrigendum is signed by the MEA’s Consular, Passport & Visa (CPV) Division Joint Secretary, Dr K J Srinivasa, who had signed the April 4, 2024 circular.
The corrigendum states that there has been a partial modification to the MEA memorandum dated April 4, 2024, regarding ‘Mandatory issuance of Revocation Order wherein PIAs decide to revoke the passport by invoking Section 10(3) of the Passport Act, 1967, as Indian passports was obtained after acquisition of Portuguese nationality/citizenship.
It states that the change applies to the third para, while the other two paragraphs of that circular remain ‘unaltered’.
The corrigendum stated, “It is under consideration in the Ministry of Home Affairs to accept ‘Revocation Certificate’ as an alternative document in lieu of Surrender Certificate of Indian nationals from erstwhile Portuguese territories in India (Goa, Daman & Diu), who had acquired Portuguese nationality as per Portuguese Nationality Law, and who had been issued “Revocation Order” by the RPOs instead of Surrender Certificate.
Meanwhile, the Opposition has slammed the government for deceiving and cheating the people of Goa, by suppressing the corrigendum till the polling day of Lok Sabha elections.
Former Advocate General and Aldona MLA Adv Carlos Alvares Ferreira alleged that the State government not placing April 30, 2024 corrigendum in OCI matter before the High Court has amounts to contempt of court.
Adv Ferreira said that the Court after considering the April 4, 2024 circular had said that the issue was resolved, but the MEA’s corrigendum dated April 30, states that it is only “under consideration” by the MHA.
“It was your duty to tell the Court that this corrigendum was there. You can’t mislead the High Court. This is very very serious. It is contempt of court,” Adv Alvares said.
He said, “I think the Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, was blatantly telling lies, telling lies knowing he was telling lies and specially at the fag end, when election was at the peak going into the polls. This shows in black and white, how the BJP can deceive you, how the BJP can fool you, how they can make all these jumlas and think they win an election.”
Leader of the Opposition Yuri Alemao said, “I am surprised that none of the Cabinet Ministers including BJP office-bearers have made any statement after the MEA issued corrigendum dated April 30, 2024. This shows that all of them kept the said corrigendum under cover to ensure that BJP does not face backlash during Lok Sabha Polls in Goa.”
Alleging that the BJP cheated Goans, Yuri demanded that the Chief Minister, who was prompt to thank the Union government after office memorandum was issued on April 4, 2024 should now make the government’s position clear.”
GFP president and MLA Vijai Sardesai tweeted, “Goa elections over, BJP u-turns begin. It’s now abundantly clear that the #DoubleEngine” had no intention of bringing any relief to the thousands of Goans applying for OCT Cards. The MEA’s earlier office memorandum which the @goacm had called ‘great news’; has now turned to ‘horrible news’ with the MEA passing the buck to the Home Ministry. Will the CM now call everyone at the Centre he earlier thanked and register his protest on behalf of Goans?”
