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Ministry of overseas indian affairs to look after a wide gamut

New Delhi, December 21, 2004

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (Pravasi Bhartiya Karya Mantralaya) has been allocated a number of subjects vide an amendment in the Allocation of Business Rules. These include promotion of investment by overseas Indians in India; all emigration under the Emigration Act 1983; setting up and administration of centres for Overseas Indian’s Affairs in countries having major concentration of overseas Indians; policy regarding employment assistance to PIO/NRIs; scholarships to NRI/PIO students for study in India; external publicity relating to Overseas Indians Affairs; collection and dissemination of information concerning admission of NRI/PIO students to various educational, technical and cultural institutions, etc.

According to the notification the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs will be consulted by the concerned Ministries in all matters concerning Overseas Indians handled by them such as PIO Card Scheme, dual citizenship issues, FCRA matters of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) of Overseas Indians. Similarly Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will consult Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs while framing policies and schemes governing deposits by overseas Indians.

The details account of the business allocated to the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry are given as under :

All matters relating to Overseas Indians comprising Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) and Non-Resident Indians (NRIs) excluding entries specifically allotted to other Departments.
Promotion of investment by Overseas Indians in India including innovative investments and policy initiatives consistent with the overall Government policies particularly in areas such as exclusive Special-Economic Zones (SEZs) for Overseas Indians.
To be represented in the Foreign Investment Promotion Board and the Foreign Investment Implementation Authority.
To interact with the Investment Commission and to be consulted by the said Commission and to be kept informed of all matters relating to Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) by Overseas Indians.
All emigration under the Emigration Act, 1983 (31 of 1983) from India to Overseas countries and the return of emigrants.
Matters relating to Pravasi Bhartiya Divas, Pravasi Bhartiya Samman Awards and Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra.
Matters relating to programmes in India for overseas Indian Volunteers.
Setting up and administration of Centres for Overseas Indians’ Affairs in countries having major concentration of Overseas Indians in consultation and coordination with the Ministry of External Affairs.
Policy regarding employment assistance to PIO/NRIs excluding reservations in Government service.
Collection and dissemination of information concerning admission of NRI/PIO students to various educational, technical and cultural institutions in India wherever discretionary quota for NRI/PIO students exists, in consultation with the Ministry of Human Resource Development and the Ministry of Culture.
Scholarship to NRI/PIO students for study in India undfer different schemes in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs.
Development of marketing and communication strategies to ensure strong links between the Overseas Indian community and India.
Matters relating to NRI/PIO contributions to the Government and parental organizations in consultation with the Department of Economic Affairs.
Guidance to and Cooperation with the State Governments and coordination with them on matters relating to Overseas Indians.

To be represented in the Indian Council of Cultural Relations.

Establishment of institutions to impart vocational and technical training to meet the requirements of skilled manpower abroad with the concurrence of the Ministry of Labour and Employment.
External Publicity relating to Overseas Indians’ affairs in consultation with the Ministry of External Affairs and in consonance with foreign policy objectives.
New initiatives for interaction by Overseas Indians with India in the fields such as Trade, Culture, Tourism, Media, Youth affairs, Health, Education, Science and Technology in consultation with concerned Ministries.

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