Jaipur (PIB) --- Pursuant to the law that was enacted to enable non-resident Indians to vote in our national elections, the Government has issued notifications for registration of overseas Indians electors under the Representation of People Act, 1950. Addressing the inaugural function of the 10th Pravasi Bhartiya Diwas here today, the Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh said that this constitutes the first major step to enable Indians resident abroad to participate in our election processes. He said in the last session of our Parliament we have introduced a Bill intended to merge and streamline the People of Indian Origin and Overseas Citizen of India schemes by amending the Citizenship Act. This will rectify some of the anomalies in the schemes and provide for an Overseas Indian Card which will be given to foreign spouses of such card holders as well.
Dr. Singh said that a large number of workers from Rajasthan are emigrating abroad. We have accordingly established an office of the Protector of Emigrants in Jaipur. The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs is implementing the emigrate project that will provide end to end computerized solutions for all processes in the emigration system. The system will link all key stakeholders on a common platform which will be used by workers, offices of the protector of emigrants, recruiting agencies, immigration officials, employers and the Indian missions abroad. The scope of our Labour Mobility Partnership Agreements is being expanded to cover not only skilled workers but also students, academics and professionals. Such Human Resource Mobility Partnership agreements are being negotiated with the Netherlands , France , Australia
He said the government has decided to introduce and sponsor a new Pension and Life Insurance Fund for overseas Indian workers. The schemes will encourage, enable and assist overseas workers to voluntarily save for their return and resettlement for old age. It will also provide a low cost life insurance cover against natural death. The scheme fulfills a long pending demand of our workers abroad. We are acutely conscious of the safety and security of Indians living abroad, particularly in regions, of instability. There are over six million Indians living in the Gulf and West Asia . We need to be alert to the unfolding developments in this part of the world. We have conveyed to the countries of the region that we have a stake in the peace and stability of this region and that we expect that they would appropriately look after the interests of Indian communities in their countries.
Dr. Manmohan Singh said that following the upheaval in Libya Egypt and Yemen
He said that despite an adverse international environment, the Indian economy is expected to grow by about 7% this financial year. However, we hope to bring back the rhythm of our growth processes to sustain an annual growth rate of 9-10%. Our domestic savings rate which currently stands at 33-35 percent of our GDP will facilitate the realization of our growth objectives. Our efforts to battle inflation are producing results and there has been an improvement in the situation. We have attempted sincerely to address the rising expectations of our people with regard to governance and delivery of public services. The Right to Information Act has proved to be a powerful instrument of bringing in transparency in governance. I am confident that some of the other legislations on these issues, which are on the national agenda, will make a similar impact in the years ahead.
_________________________
I added cool smileys to this message... if you don't see them go to: http://s.exps.me
0 comments:
Post a Comment