PANJIM: Chief Minister Pramod Sawant on Friday said that the State government is in continuous talks with Secretary (Finance), Government of India, to resolve the Portuguese Passport imbroglio.
Speaking to reporters, Sawant said there are two issues — revocation of passports and surrender of passport.
“Our efforts are on to talk to the Government of India and give them the benefit of surrender because that will facilitate the issuance of the OCI card. Solution will come,” he said.
Sawant stated this after a delegation of people affected due to the problem visited him.
Earlier, Goans for Goa convenor Kennedy Afonso submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister urging him to resolve the revocation of Indian passports issue before the election model code of conduct comes into effect.
”We, the revoked passport holders, would like to thank you for keeping your word given in the Assembly and for going to meet Union Minister of State Meenakshi Lekhi and for giving an assurance to the people of Goa, that both the proposals put forward by you will be accepted and resolved in 15 days or so. This showed the people of Goa your honest intent to resolve the issue and brought hope into the hearts of people affected by the internal circular of MEA on November 30, 2022,” Afonso said.
”However, we would like to bring to your kind notice, that 20 days are up and the revoked passport holders are worried that the election code of conduct might come into effect any time, and this important matter might remain unresolved,” he added.
Afonso has urged the Chief Minister to pursue the matter with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) and make them aware of the urgency of the situation and resolve the issue before the code comes into effect.
Sawant assured the delegation he would visit Delhi on Saturday and discuss the issue with the Union Ministers, hoping solution before the dates of Lok Sabha polls are announced.
