Merger of Overseas Affairs Ministry an insult to NRIs: Chandy to PM

Slamming the Centre’s decision to merge the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) with the External Affairs Ministry (MEA), Kerala on Friday termed it as an insult to the NRI community and demanded that the Prime Minister revokes it at the earliest to avoid an ‘adverse’ effect.

In a strongly worded letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Kerala Chief Minister  Oommen Chandy said the ‘abrupt’ decision to merge the ministries was taken without ‘consultation or any proper analysis’.

“I am really shocked to hear the news about the abrupt decision to merge the Overseas Indian Affairs Ministry with the External Affairs Ministry without any consultation or proper analysis. We cannot ignore the contribution of NRIs in India’s development and spreading India’s rich culture and heritage. This decision is an insult to whole NRI community,” Chandy said.