Two years after it cleared parity in privileges to overseas Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) with Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is now opposing its notification, seeking government control with “the right to review and refuse any such right at any stage”.Responding to the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs’ Cabinet’s proposal to provide same benefits to PIOs in investment, employment and property rights as available to NRIs, the MHA says: “Giving unfettered rights to PIOs may lead to certain unsavoury situations especially if they become major players in India’s strategic sectors”.Its rationale is that while an NRI is an Indian citizen staying abroad for business or employment, a PIO is a foreign national of Indian origin. A PIO can denounce his status by merely filing an application, making it difficult to proceed against him if he commits any punishable offence in India.The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has also asked for restrictions. “Till PIOs become naturalised citizens of India, they should not be permitted to seek membership of statutory bodies like Medical Council of India, Dental Council of India etc,” it says.The Commerce Ministry’s view is that PIOs should not be eligible for the same benefits while rendering professional services such as advocates and architects, unless the professional bodies “make a special dispensation.” The Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card issued to PIOs is a diluted version of Prime Minister’s promise of dual citizenship to all persons of Indian origin in 2005. Its tangible benefit is a lifelong visa and the right to adopt Indian children.
