Dual citizenship Bill passed by Parliament

 

DECEMBER 22, NEW DELHI

Parliament on Monday passed a bill to grant dual citizenship to people of Indian origin (PIOs).

Dual citizenship Bill was introduced in the Rajya Sabha on May 8, 2003. The legislation had been passed by the Rajya Sabha earlier. The Bill was first introduced in the Budget session and then sent to a parliamentary standing committee before finally coming to the two Houses for consideration and passing. The Government revised the `List of Business' for the Lok Sabha at the eleventh hour today to bring the Bill to the House. The Government would announce at the next Pravasi Diwas that the promised legislation had come through. The Bill was passed without any acrimony. The Congress, the AIADMK, the Rashtriya Janata Dal and some other Opposition parties supported the Bill.

The Bill provides Dual citizenship to PIOs in 16 countries:

  • United States
  • The United Kingdom
  • Canada
  • Ireland
  • Italy
  • The Netherlands
  • Finland
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • France
  • Greece
  • Cyprus
  • Portugal
  • Switzerland
  • Israel
  • Sweden.

Amendment of Citizenship Act, 1955 to Dual Citizenship Bill, 2003, would help PIOs to contribute to India's growth and development.