GLOBAL
ORGANIZATION OF PEOPLE OF INDIAN ORIGIN (GOPIO)
GOPIO
CONVENTION 2007,
RESOLUTIONS
PASSED AT THE GOPIO CONVENTION 2007
Resolution
1
ADVISORY
COMMITTEE TO THE MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN
AFFAIRS
WHEREAS
it is a matter great pride that the Indian Diaspora has expanded to almost 25
million; and,
WHEREAS
the Diaspora is highly diversified in their achievements, needs and interests;
and,
WHEREAS
the Government of India has realized the strength & the vitality of the
Diaspora and has shown its recognition by establishing the Ministry of Indian
Affairs; and,
WHEREAS
the variety of issues faced by the Diaspora in different countries is enormous;
and
WHEREAS
neither the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs nor the Global Organization of
People of Indian Origin may be able to handle issues of importance independently
in a timely manner;
THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs establish an
ADVISORY COMMITTEE, not exceeding 15 members from each major center of the
Diaspora such as Canada, Fiji, Guyana, Malaysia, Mauritius, The Middle East, The
Netherlands, South Africa, Suriname, Trinidad & Tobago, UK, USA, etc. and
across the World that should directly report to the Minister in Charge for
furthering the mission of the Ministry of Indian
Affairs.
Resolution
2
SITUATION
IN TRINIDAD & TOBAGO
2–A
TO THE GOVT. OF
WHEREAS
all citizens of Trinidad and Tobago are duly entitled to equal justice
and freedom as provided under its own Constitution & United Nations
Charters; and,
WHEREAS
in Trinidad & Tobago (T & T) the People of Indian Origin
(Indians) are being continuously brutally attacked, robbed, kidnapped and
harmed for being Indians; and,
WHEREAS
in T & T the rule of law and due process, equal opportunity and protection
are being selectively applied to discriminate against the People of Indian
Origin; and,
WHEREAS
there are documented cases of such unjust practices as collected by
independent organizations, groups and individuals;
THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Government of Trinidad and
2–B
TO THE GOVT. OF
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Government of India raise
its voice bilaterally and at appropriate international forums against this
injustice to protect the civil rights of the Indian Diaspora in Trinidad &
Tobago.
Resolution
3
LOK
SABHA SEATS FOR INDIAN CITIZENS LIVING OUTSIDE
WHEREAS the technology exists for
Indian passports holders to participate in Indian elections while staying out
side
STREAMLINE THE FOREIGN
CONTRIBUTION REGULATION ACT (FCRA) & CUSTOMS
CLEARANCES
WHEREAS the Global Organization of
People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) is cognizant of the concern of Government of
India to keep an eye on the inflow of foreign funds that might be used for
activities not in the best interests of India; and,
WHEREAS the Indian Diaspora’s interest
in the welfare & development of India is so full of passion, commitment and
the desire of serving their motherland that FCRA has become quite a hindrance;
and
WHEREAS quite often in the exercise of
authority, overzealous officers make it so difficult that even genuine cases
languish in files for such long time that it becomes quite disheartening and
discouraging thus depriving India & the Diaspora of their desire of bringing
the two together;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the
Government of India takes necessary steps to streamline the process in a way
that encourages the genuine foreign contribution from the Indian Diaspora for
well-meaning educational & social projects.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the
Government of India streamlines the Customs Clearance procedures so the
beneficiary organizations do not suffer unnecessarily.
CONSULAR SERVICES NEED
MORE SUPPORT
WHEREAS it is a great news that the
strength of Indian Diaspora has reached close to 25 million, the need for
Consular Services at the Indian Missions abroad has increased tremendously;
and,
WHEREAS the staffing at the Consular
Services overseas has not kept pace with the increased demand for services; and,
WHEREAS the advances in the technology
are not being used to the fullest extent;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the
Government of India takes appropriate steps to increase facility and
simultaneously improve efficiency at the Consulates and the technology be used to the fullest extent.
OCI
AND US &
WHEREAS
GOPIO thanks Government of India for accepting its recommendation for creating
Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) category and bestow upon then the rights &
privileges compatible to OCIs;
and,
WHEREAS
in the process of developing appropriate rules, regulations & procedures,
the category of US Citizens born in the USA and UK citizens born in UK to the
parents of Indian Origin and are under the age of 18 were missed
out,
THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED that the Government of India develop appropriate procedures to
include the US Citizens born to Indian parents who are not yet covered under the
provisions of OCI.
PRICE
DIFFERENTIATION FOR PIOs FOR HOTELS &
ARCHEOLOGICAL SITES
WHEREAS,
it may be understandable that those who can afford should pay more, it is a poor
policy to differentiate between the citizens of
NRIs/PIOs
by asking them to pay more for the same Hotel accommodation and for the same
entrance ticket to the archeological sites such as Taj
Mahal, and
WHEREAS,
the intent and actions of PIOs to support
WHEREAS,
there is a grave concern about the feelings of Indians abroad who are against
this "double standard"
THEEFORE, GOPIO urges the Government of India to stop this discriminatory practice.
EXPAND
ON QUALIFICATION TO RECEIVE PIO CARD UP TO 5TH
GENERATION
WHEREAS, GOPIO supports Govt. of India
for issuing PIO cards to people of Indian origin,
WHEREAS, up to four generations of
PIOs have been able to utilize this service,
WHEREAS, there are many among the
5th generation PIOs who maintain their
Indian identity and culture who wants to apply for PIO
cards,
THEREFORE, GOPIO urges Government of
India to extend PIO card service to the 5th fifth generation PIOs also.
GOVT.
OF
WHEREAS, thousands of Indian workers,
after selling their property in
GOPIO urges Govt. of India to take
necessary steps to rehabilitate them in any part of
CONCERNS
ON SAFETY OF PARENTS OF NRIs LIVING IN
INIDA
WHEREAS, thousands of
NRIs who have migrated to countries such as USA, UK
and other developed countries have permanently settled on those countries and
are making contributions to India’s foreign exchange
reserve,
WHEREAS, such countries
generally do not allow parents of NRIs to migrate to
those countries,
WHEREAS, there are
increasing instances of crimes perpetuated to NRI parents in
GOPIO urges Govt. of
India to take necessary steps to ensure safety of NRI parents living in
INITIAL
DRAFT PREPARED BY DR. PIYUSH AGRAWAL, NATIONAL COORDINATOR FOR GOPIO