Government of India promulgated an ordinance that seeks to merge Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) schemes. Now it is possible for the PIOs to get life-long Indian visa and it also give exemption from appearing before the local police station on every visit. The President Pranab Mukherjee has signed the Citizenship Ordinance.
The PIO cardholders were now eligible for only 15-year visas in comparison to lifelong visas given to those having OCI cards. The Citizenship Amendment Bill of 1955 was first introduced by the UPA government in 2013.
The XIII edition of Pravasi Bharatiya Divas is going to be held in Gujarat between January 8 and 9. The announcement about the Citizenship Amendment is considered as the major step by the NDA Government ahead of the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas.
