PANJIM: The Congress party in Goa has decided to approach the Central government in connection with the much-debated issue of dual citizenship urging the Centre to accept an amendment to ensure that those who have registered their births in Portugal should not lose their voting rights.
In a statement, Rajya Sabha MP Shantaram Naik said he has brought to the notice of the State that the issue does not come under the domain of Collectors and that notification issued on November 22, 2016 was to protect voting rights of Goans. The Congress leader also alleged that the Centre was complicating the issue of dual citizenship.
“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 registered their births in Portugal should not lose voting rights in Goa. He had taken up the issue 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 that was introduced in the Rajya Sabha, wherein he had proposed to amend Section 9 of Citizenship Act 1955.
