ANY ATTEMPT TO EXCLUDE GULF EXPATS FROM VOTING RIGHTS IS SURPRISING
Outline of the speech of Eduardo Faleiro, Commissioner for NRI Affairs (Goa). January 3, 2007: It is a pleasure and privilege to welcome the Honourable Chief Minister and the distinguished audience of the Fourth Annual Gomant Vishva Samelan or Global Goans Convention in our capital city of Panaji. The Office of the Commissioner for NRI Affairs was created about 10 months ago. Though the Office functions with a minimum staff of just three persons, I am glad to say that it has already done significant work and settled some of the long-pending grievances of non-resident Goans. Matters that have been resolved include recognition of the degrees of Goa University in countries where they were not recognized so far, as in Kuwait, Canada and New Zealand; authentication of these degrees in Goa rather than in New Delhi as was the practice upto now; delegation of powers of the Protector of Emigrants to the Regional Passport Officer at Panaji for granting 'emigration check not required' (ECNR) to several categories of skilled and unskilled workers; settlement of claims of Goan victims of the Kuwait war of 1990-91 whose addresses were not known. These are a few among the several matters of general interest which have been settled over the last few months. This Office has also been assisting Goans in distress abroad. Most of the cases brought to our notice relate to persons harassed by their employers in the Gulf. In such matters, we seek the assistance of our Embassies and Consulates in the respective countries, and they do take the required action sympathetically and expeditiously. Some NRGs complained to us that occasionally their baggage was mishandled by Indian Airlines during flights to and from the Gulf. We forwarded the complaint to the Indian Airlines, which informed us that "in future due care will be taken to avoid inconvenience to the passengers. We are advising our Country Manager in Kuwait in this regard." Among the matters we are working at present, I may mention the Overseas Employment Agency. This Agency is intended to facilitate and streamline overseas employment of skilled as well as unskilled technical and professional manpower. It has been approved by the State Government and we are in the process of obtaining its registration in the Office of the Protector of Emigrants, Government of India, under the Emigration Rules 1983. While the Overseas Employment Agency is receiving the attention of the Government of India, we propose to initiate training programmes for Goans who wish to work abroad. The training will consist of small duration courses in different areas so that our youth are favourably placed in the highly-competitive job markets, overseas. We have received representations from NRGs, particularly those in the Gulf countries, for reservation of seats for their children in our medical and dental colleges. The matter has been taken up with the Government of India for approval of supernumerary seats. In the meanwhile, we have suggested that fees charged from NRG students should not be exorbitant, for the single seat reserved for them at the moment in the Goa Medical College. Sometimes, during their absence abroad, NRGs find that their property has been encroached upon. However, when they seek eviction of the trespasser, in view of the delays in our judicial and quasi-judicial proceedings, they are faced with the painful option of either prosecuting the case in Goa and losing their job abroad, or forgetting about their property here altogether. We have recommended to the Government specific amendments to the existing laws for the protection of NRG properties. Such amendments have been upheld by the Supreme Court regarding legislation in some other States. They must, however, be approved by our legislative assembly before they become operational. In the meanwhile, we are working on an administrative scheme for the welfare and promotion of interests of NRGs, including protection of their houses and properties during their absence abroad. There is a Bill pending in Parliament to amend the Representation of the People's Act, so that voting rights may be conferred on non-resident Indians. Some Gulf Goans have informed me that NRIs in the Gulf countries are not included within the provisions of the Bill. This is surprising, since they have the least possibility of acquiring citizenship of the countries where they are working. I have taken up their very legitimate demand with the Union Law Minister for favourable consideration. Furthermore, legislation of some countries permits their emigrants not merely to vote in national elections, but also to have their own elected representatives in the national Parliament. I intend to bring these laws to the notice of the Government of India for positive consideration. We have set up recently our website http://www.globalgoan.org.in It is mainly intended to be a channel of communication between the office of the Commissioner for NRI Affairs and the entire Goan diaspora. Yet, this website, with its multiple features, will be of interest to all Goans, whether in Goa or elsewhere. They may like to use it as their homepage. I am happy to see here delegates of the Goan community from all the continents of the world. This Convention will have plenary and interactive sessions. The plenary will be addressed by HE the Governor, the Hon Chief Minister, senior officials of the Government of Goa, Heads of Division in the Ministry of External Affairs and some foreign diplomats, as well as representatives of the Goan diaspora. The interactive sessions will be held at the Secretariat and will be addressed by our Ministers. The delegates will have an opportunity to ask questions and seek clarifications on matters pertaining specifically to the NRGs at these interactive sessions. At my request, the ministers have kindly agreed to keep a record of the proceedings and to fulfill the assurances given by them within a reasonable period of time. I do look forward to a fruitful convention. I wish the entire Goan family and all our distinguished guests a very happy and prosperous new year. (Circulated via Goanet) SOME HIGHLIGHTS OF THE PROGRAMME: * JAN 3, 1040 Presentation by R R Dash, Head of Division (CPV) and Chief Passport Officer, Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi. * 1130 Release of audio CDs on traditional music of Goa * 1150 Vote of thanks by Dr Dilraj Kaur, IAS, Special Secretary (NRI Affairs) * JAN 4, 1015 Presentations by British deputy high commissioner in Mumbai Ms Vicki Treadell; Sultanate of Oman charge-de-affairs Said Salim al Sinawi; America Division director Ministry of External Affairs Santosh Jha; EW head of division Ministry of External Affairs Sujata Singh. JAN 5 1020 Awards to eight recipients of the Global Goans Achievements Award. 1830 Rene Barreto, NRI of Goan origin, to thank Governor of Goa on behalf of the delegates. ----------------------------------------------------------------- GOANET-READER WELCOMES contributions from its readers, by way of essays, reviews, features and think-pieces. 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