New Delhi: Setting the ball rolling for People of Indian Origin (PIO) to secure Indian citizenship, the Government has set up the rules, whereby, a PIO would have to shell out nearly Rs 12,500 ($ 275) for having Indian Overseas Citizenship.

The new scheme meant for overseas Indians spread in 16 countries was notified by the Government recently and would be called as Citizenship (Third Amendment) Rules, 2004. It prescribes the processing fee to be charged for registering foreign citizens of Indian origin, official sources said.

As per the notification, the facility for procuring the dual citizenship has been extended to Indian citizens living in Australia, Canada, Finland, France, Greece, Ireland, Israel, Italy, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Portugal, Republic of Cyprus, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom and the United States of America.

The PIOs would enjoy all Rights that of an Indian citizen except the right in employment in Government service and exercising franchise or hold a constitutional post, the sources said.

Of the fee payable in respect of registration as an Overseas Indian Citizen, a sum of $ 25 shall be non-refundable while the rest would be given back in case the application was turned down, they said.

The PIOs would not be required to have Visas during their visit to India and can also buy property and enjoy equality with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) in economic, financial and educational field besides having an overseas Indian passport.

The scheme would help the country in strengthening of emotional and cultural ties with India. The PIOs could play an important role in development process, which would increase foreign investment in various sectors and lead to greater co-ordination with motherland, the sources said.

The demand for dual citizenship was backed by L M Singhvi Committee and was discussed at the first PIOs conference held last year.

However, no person who was deprived of his Indian citizenship under this Act shall be registered as an overseas citizen of India except by an order of the Central Government.

For this purpose, the expression "Person of Indian Origin" shall mean a citizen of another country who was eligible to become a citizen of India at the time of the commencement of the Constitution; belonged to a territory that became part of India after the August 15, 1947.

However, the Act does not cover those people who, at any time, were citizen of Pakistan, Bangladesh or such other country as the Central Government may, by notification in the Official Gazette.