Centre to relook files related to LTV to foreign nationals
3 Sept 2014 4:49 AM IST
Concerned over the nation’s security and threat perceptions from the ‘sleeper cells’, the central government has decided to relook in to all the files related to granting Long Term Visa (LTV) to nearly 3753 Pakistani and citizenship to 1800 foreigners from other countries in last few years.
Sources said the internal security agencies, working round the clock in the country, have sent a proposal to the ministry of home affairs to re-verify the antecedents of all these foreigners (with genuine reasons) who were given LTV and citizenships respectively.
It was learnt that some Pakistani nationals belong to the minority communities with their roots in India came here on valid visas but not gone back to Pakistan due to threat perceptions. As per the government record nearly 3753 Pakistani nationals have been granted LTV during 2013 and up to 30 June, 2014.
Earlier, on 7 March, 2012 the MHA Ministry had issued an instruction to all the state governments and Union Territory administrations to consider requests of such Pakistan nationals belonging to minority communities in Pakistan, in the light of the general guidelines issued by the government for dealing with cases of foreign nationals in India, who claim to be refugees, for grant of Long Term Visa (LTV).
‘But in last few years the country has witnessed many changes in terms of new government and its relationship with the neighbouring countries. Some of the recent anti-Indian activities were also reported in some parts of India and therefore it was decided to have a re-look in to these files,’ MHA sources said.
On the context of citizenship to the foreign nationals from other countries, he said, ‘Nearly 1854 foreigners from other countries were granted citizenship in between 2011 to 2014.’
As per rule, Pakistani nationals staying on LTV with intention of settling permanently and obtaining Indian citizenship are eligible for the same in accordance with the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the
Citizenship Rules, 2009. But now there are talks in the government to make the law more stringent so that the service (citizenship) can be given to the needy persons rather than to those who are having some vested interest.
Sources said the internal security agencies, working round the clock in the country, have sent a proposal to the ministry of home affairs to re-verify the antecedents of all these foreigners (with genuine reasons) who were given LTV and citizenships respectively.
It was learnt that some Pakistani nationals belong to the minority communities with their roots in India came here on valid visas but not gone back to Pakistan due to threat perceptions. As per the government record nearly 3753 Pakistani nationals have been granted LTV during 2013 and up to 30 June, 2014.
Earlier, on 7 March, 2012 the MHA Ministry had issued an instruction to all the state governments and Union Territory administrations to consider requests of such Pakistan nationals belonging to minority communities in Pakistan, in the light of the general guidelines issued by the government for dealing with cases of foreign nationals in India, who claim to be refugees, for grant of Long Term Visa (LTV).
‘But in last few years the country has witnessed many changes in terms of new government and its relationship with the neighbouring countries. Some of the recent anti-Indian activities were also reported in some parts of India and therefore it was decided to have a re-look in to these files,’ MHA sources said.
On the context of citizenship to the foreign nationals from other countries, he said, ‘Nearly 1854 foreigners from other countries were granted citizenship in between 2011 to 2014.’
As per rule, Pakistani nationals staying on LTV with intention of settling permanently and obtaining Indian citizenship are eligible for the same in accordance with the Citizenship Act, 1955 and the
Citizenship Rules, 2009. But now there are talks in the government to make the law more stringent so that the service (citizenship) can be given to the needy persons rather than to those who are having some vested interest.
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