New Delhi: A Parliamentary panel has cleared a legislation on granting dual citizenship to persons of Indian origin (PIOs) residing in 16 countries and urged both Houses of Parliament to pass the Bill incorporating the suggestions made by it.

The 44-member standing committee on Home Affairs, chaired by Pranab Mukherjee, endorsed the countries specified by the Government. The countries named in the schedule were Australia, Canada, Finland, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, UK, USA, Switzerland, Greece, Israel, Sweden, France, Cyprus, Portugal and New Zealand.

It also sought amendment of the definition of "overseas citizens of India" to mean a person of Indian origin being a citizen of a specified country, or one who was an Indian citizen immediately before being a citizen of a specified country, or one who is registered as an overseas Indian citizen by the Centre.

The panel discussed the possibility of treating those who migrated to India from neighbouring countries due to religious and political persecutions.

It also had a debate on the oath of allegiance for an overseas citizen of India. "The committee felt that by affirming or swearing allegiance to Indian Constitution, the overseas citizens might not be able to bear allegiance to the Constitution of the country whose citizenship they have acquired and are staying there for most part of the year."

The panel asked the Government that it should, while reformulating the oath for the PIOs, fully address the concerns expressed by it.

PTI

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