Saturday, January 14 2006 11:32 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Within days of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh launching the Dual Citizenship scheme for Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs), the Government has received around 8,000 applications from across the world.

The Ministry for Overseas Indian Affairs will also shortly approach the Union Cabinet on the issue of granting voting rights to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), following up on the Prime Minister's assurance in this regard.

Around 8,000 applications for dual citizenship have been received, Minister of State for Overseas Indian Affairs Oscar Fernandes told reporters here.

He said scrutiny of these applications will begin within a month.

So far only two people of Indian origin (PIOs) have been granted dual citizenship.

With regard to grant of voting rights to NRIs, a long-standing demand of Indians abroad, particularly the Gulf, Fernandes said a Cabinet note is being drafted in this regard.

"This matter will have to go to the cabinet. We will take it up soon," Fernandes said.

The Prime Minister, while addressing the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Hyderabad last week, had said Indians in Gulf had a convincing political basis in demanding voting rights.

"This proposal is at an advanced stage of consideration by our Government. We hope to take appropriate measures in this regard soon," Singh had said.

To a question, Fernandes acknowledged that Indian workers in West Asia often faced labour exploitation.

"But Indians are the most sought after people in the West," he remarked.

The Minister also listed out highlights of the recent Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which was attended by more then 1,500 delegates from over 35 countries.