President signs ordinance amending Citizenship Act, 1955
President Pranab Mukherjee has signed the ordinance that amend’s Citizenship Act, 1955.
Earlier, union government had promulgated this ordinance in order to merge Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) schemes. Thus, providing life-long Indian visa facility to PIOs.
It was signed on the eve of the opening of the three-days meet of Indian diaspora i.e. Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2015 held in Gujarat.
Key amendments
- Citizenship Act amendments will benefit PIO and will give them benefits like life-long visa and exemption from appearing before the local police station on every visit etc.
- It will also change the clause of parent Act which says that foreigners who marry Indians must continuously stay in the country for a period of one year before they get an Indian citizenship. In this regards they will get relief of 30 days in a year when they can travel outside the country.
- The amendment also clears the way for relaxed visa norms for minor children of OCI cardholders.
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Month: Current Affairs - January, 2015