Margao – It is really shocking to note that the BJP Government in Goa completely turned a blind eye on the rising cases of Surrendering of Indian Passports by Goans. I am certain that Dr. Pramod Sawant led Government deliberately ignored the issue, stated Quepem MLA Altone D’Costa.
More than 28,000 Goans have surrendered their Indian Passports in last 10 years. Chief Minister Dr Pramod Sawant must realise that Goans are compelled to move abroad due to lack of Job and Employment Opportunites due to faulty policies of the BJP Government, claimed Altone D’Costa.
Government’s reply to our Legislative Assembly Question has revealed that on 25th July 2023, Ministry of Home Affairs wrote to Government of Goa stating that they do not maintain Data of Surrendering of Passports and said Data is maintained by Ministry of External of Affairs. Still CM replied on 2nd August 2023 that Report awaited from Home Ministry, pointed Altone D’Costa
This shows that Government intentionally misled us in the last Session. This time Leader of Opposition Yuri Alemao had tabled a Joint Question with me and three other MLAs namely Venzy Viegas, Cruz Silva and Viresh Borkar which came up for discussion on Saturday.
We realised that Goa Government wrote a letter to Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi only after a LAQ was tabled by Leader of Opposition in July 2023. Home Ministry replied to Goa Government that the said Data of Surrendering of Indian Passports is maintained by Ministry of External Affairs, said Altone D’Costa.
It is shocking to note that Goa Government did not follow up with Ministry of External Affairs in last six months. This shows the insensitive approach of the BJP Government towards our Goans who are going abroad to seek Job & Employment Opportunites but also keep a connect with their Motherland Goa, stated Altone D’Costa.
We have urged the Chief Minister to immediately take steps to ensure that the issue of Dual Citizenship and OCI Cards is resolved on topmost priority, said Altone D’Costa
