Bill in LS to merge PIO, OCI schemes

A bill to facilitate merger of the Person of Indian Origin (PIO) and Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) schemes by amending the Citizenship Act was today introduced in Lok Sabha on the last day of the Winter Session.
The Citizenship (Amendment) Bill 2014, introduced by Minister of State for Home Haribhai P Chaudhary, seeks to remove certain lacunae noticed during implementation of the 1955 Act and review of provisions relating to overseas citizens of India.
The amendment also provides for registration of OCI cardholders, confirmation of rights of such cardholders, renunciation of OCI card and cancellation of registration of OCI card, the Statement of Objects and Reasons of the bill said.

During his recent visits to the US and Australia, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had announced a two-month deadline for the long-pending merger of OCI and PIO status to woo the Indian diaspora from whom he sought support for his ambitious Clean India campaign.
He had then said the Home Ministry was working on the new programme that will merge PIO and OCI schemes.