A prominent Indian-American has said in a petition to the Indian Ambassador that, as adequate awareness has not been given regarding the recent enforcement of the rule on renewal, Overseas Citizen of India card holders are facing major problems while traveling to the country.
Because of which, Prem Bhandari, chairman of Jaipur Foot USA said, a large number of Indian-Americans are being forced to cancel their trips to India. The Indian-Americans have been forced to return midway if their passport numbers do not match with the ones on their OCI card as several airlines are refusing to board the passengers with the difference in the numbers.
“Airlines and immigration officials cite a recent advisory issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs and Ministry of Civil Aviation and demand that passengers below 20 years of age and above 50 years of age need to have their OCI cards renewed after renewal of their passports. This has resulted in many passengers being turned back from the airports,” Bhandari said.
Harsh Vardhan Shringla, Indian ambassador to US was urged by a social activist Bhandari to help in resolving the issue through a mix of public information and awareness campaigns in the USA while Ministry of Home Affairs simplify the OCI card rules.
“The purpose of OCI card inter alia was to ease the travel experience of holders and not to cause avoidable anxiety and distress,”he said, adding that he plans to raise the matter with the Ministry of Civil aviation in his next India visit so that airlines could be suitably briefed.
According to Bhandari, the ambassador said that, “ the Indian government is committed to the welfare of diaspora. The Indian diplomatic missions in the US have already launched an awareness campaign.” A resolution of the issue is being actively pursued, he said.
“While the issue is being fixed, I request Ministry of Home Affairs to adequately brief international airlines so that members of Indian diaspora traveling to India are no harassed at the airports,” Bhandari said. He also said in a statement that he raised this matter with Pradeep Singh Kharola, secretary, Ministry of Civil Aviation.
Non-Resident Indians in financial, economic and educational fields are brought in par with the OCI which is major facility for members of the Indian diaspora which gives them multiple entry for free and multi-purpose life-long visa to visit India.
Due to lack of awareness, the rule of renewing the OCI cards after the renewal of passports of the holders below the age of 20 years and above the age of 50 years is not known to majority of people.
“There is a need for a massive awareness campaign. A line in each of the OCI card mentioning this provision would be very helpful in creating awareness,” Bhandari said. “The Indian government already has contact details including email and phone numbers of each of the OCI card holder. It would be helpful if the government would reach out to them on an urgent basis on this issue,” he said. “In fact, the age for mandatory renewal of OCI card should be below 18 years and above 70 years,” Bhandari demanded.
