Union minister for external affairs Sushma Swaraj has urged upon the diaspora to either fully return to India or at least send one of their kin to the country as India has now lots of avenues availabl
Union minister for external affairs Sushma Swaraj has urged upon the diaspora to either fully return to India or at least send one of their kin to the country as India has now lots of avenues available, with the NDA government’s initiatives like Make in India, Skill India and Digital India. She underlined the fact that these schemes will provide them with ample investment opportunities.
Addressing the diaspora via video conferencing on the occasion of the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas on Saturday, Ms Swaraj asked them to be a part of the India growth story, Listing various iniatives for the welfare of the diaspora, she said that the government was considering extending overseas citizenship to fifth and sixth generations from the current cut-off of fourth generation.
Ms Swaraj said it has been decided that women workers will be allowed to go to Gulf countries for employment only through the government agencies to ensure they are not duped by unregistered recruiting agents or firms.
She said the India Development Fund (IDF) is also being revamped to ensure that overseas Indians can contribute towards development of their villages and schools and in other spheres in India. The IDF facilitates development works by the diaspora community.
“You will be able to know about implementation of various projects online also,” she said.
On merger of overseas Indian affairs ministry with MEA, she said there should not be any fear in the minds of the diaspora about government’s commitment to their welfare as it would continue with all the schemes being implemented by that ministry. On the new format of the Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas (PBD), the minister said the government has identified 10 subjects concering the diaspora and would deliberate on them through the year. The report will be ready before the next year’s edition of the Diwas.
Last year, the government had decided to hold a larger version of PBD every two years and a limited one in the intervening year. The 13th edition of the PBD was held in Gujarat last year.
