OCI Rules: Indians are settled in every corner of the world. Some of them have been living abroad for years. According to government data, about 3.2 crore Indians are living abroad, some of whom have also acquired citizenship of other countries. But now they will have to face a big change. In fact, the new rules brought by the Government of India have taken away many privileges from 'Overseas Citizen of India' (OCI).
Actually, it is not that the new changes will only affect those who are working abroad. There are many elderly people abroad who went there to study, but settled there after some time. After this, they renounced Indian citizenship. Apart from this, the new rules will also apply to the children of people of Indian origin who want to obtain India's OCI card.
Till then OCI card holders had equal rights as Indian citizens, but now they are going to be given the status of 'foreign citizens'. They are very angry about this. Indians living abroad, who have taken citizenship of other countries or people of Indian origin are given OCI status. Under this, they get a card through which they can come and stay in India indefinitely. They are allowed to live as well as work in India.
What changes has the government made for OCI card holders?
Actually, the Indian government has changed the OCI rules. Now the days are over when they used to get easy entry into India. OCI card holders will have to take permission from the government to travel to Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh like the citizens of other countries of the world. The government has declared them 'foreigners'. Due to this decision of the government, OCI card holders who could easily come to India will now have to face red tape.
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Permits will be required for travel and religious activities in Jammu and Kashmir and Arunachal Pradesh, while businessmen holding OCI cards will also face red tape. Under the new rules, they will now have to apply to government officials for permission to buy and sell property and business in India. They will have to provide information about which business and property they are buying and selling.
What did OCI card holders say on the government's decision?
This decision of the Indian government has angered NRIs living around the world. They are feeling disappointed with the change in rules. NRI Raja Naik, who lives in Canada, said, “This is ridiculous, it seems like this is the act of North Korea.” Some people argue that the government has imposed these restrictions keeping security in mind, while many people believe that these are strict rules and honest NRIs and OCIs have been put into a quagmire of bureaucracy.
According to the New Indian Express, Aditya Arora, an NRI living in Germany, is struggling with this decision of the government these days. His wife and children have recently become foreign citizens and now they feel trapped. Aditya said, “I had to give up my Indian citizenship, but I am confused with these changes. How do I fix this?” He has expressed the pain of people trapped in a situation like his.
Sudhir J, a US-based OCI living in Bengaluru, expressed his disappointment over the changes made by the government. “Classifying us as foreign nationals has created bureaucratic problems. Simple things like travel, business and religious activities now require permits. Real estate transactions are restricted. It seems like the government is ignoring us, when it should be welcoming our investments,” he said.
