Indian-American activist has put her word regarding the problems being faced by the OCI card issue. The activist has said that consideration of the card as “ a multi-purpose lifelong visa” should not be done and demanded the Indian government to fix the major loopholes which are present in the issue.
Under the provisions of the OCI card, it has been said that there is a need for individuals below 20 years and above 50 years to renew their OCI card every time they get their passport renewed.
The provisions were relaxed till June 30, 2020 as said earlier this month but the concerned OCI card holders were asked to carry their old passport along with their renewed passport and OCI card when they fly to India but not many OCI card holders were aware of the new rules.
Prem Bhandari, a community activist and head of Jaipur Foot USA told PTI that OCI card is not a multipurpose life-long visa as the government has billed it and to clear the confusion, the government telling that OCI card is not a multipurpose life-long visa is important and also the Indian government has to take steps in fixing the loopholes regarding the matter.
He said that certain changes in the instructions printed in OCI card can be made which will in turn bring a lot of clarity to the OCI card holders. As he referred to the various aspects of the card which is causing confusion, he said that in many cases, OCI card is also not a multipurpose life-long visa.
He added saying that, special permission from the government will be required in order to under take activities such as mountaineering, research, missionary work and journalism.
Meanwhile, at multiple airports in the US, at least two dozens of Indian-Americans have face difficulties as they did not carry their old passports along with their renewed passports while flying to India.
