NRI body opposes move to tax long stay in India

Washington: The largest umbrella organization of overseas Indians has urged the Indian government to withdraw a proposal to impose tax on non-resident Indians staying over 60 days during a visit to the homeland.

It will be detrimental to the interests of NRIs who contribute substantially to the nation's development, the Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) said in a resolution adopted during its biennial convention in Iselin, New Jersey earlier this month.

In other resolutions, GOPIO made a plea for a mechanism to enable NRIs to voice their grievances, nomination of a few prominent NRIs to the Rajya Sabha, initiation of suitable steps to set up fast track courts to deal with the growing number of property offences targeting NRIs and steps for speedy disposal of cases involving custody of children of NRI parents.

It also urged the government to augment the staff strength of consulates for the convenience of NRIs.

While welcoming the setting up of Global Advisory Council, GOPIO sought representation for diaspora organizations in the council.

Extending all support to the Know India Programme initiated by the government, it wanted a GOPIO-Pravasi member committee to be set up to initiate the programme.

Noting that more and more job seekers from India are falling prey to unscrupulous elements abroad, GOPIO urged the government to take suitable steps for the rehabilitation of such victims.

The organisation also urged the Government of India to end the discriminatory practices against NRIs at archeological sites and hotels.

GOPIO has also expressed special thanks to the authorities in Bahrain for taking prompt action to protect the Indian community during the recent disturbances.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)
 

Home | Top of the Page

Top Stories

Prime Minister Manmohan Singh Tuesday said the government's decision to allow foreign equity in retail was not taken in haste but after a careful thought to how it would benefit the common man in India.  »

Consensus on retail FDI eludes all-party meet, parliament adjourned

Stop politicising FDI in retail, look for bigger benefits: CII

  Most Read

This is the latest news from Malegaon. No, not about terrorist attacks and bomb blasts. Not even of communal riots. The headline which is hitting the local newspapers since last few days is this. The Anti Corruption  »

Demonstrations, shutdown in Kerala for new dam

Demonstrations for demanding a nod from Tamil Nadu for a brand new dam to replace the leaking Mullaperiyar dam continued in Kerala as well as five districts observed a complete shutdown Tuesday.  »

Kerala seeks new dam, protests erupt against Tamil Nadu

  News Pick

15 people injured in Rajasthan communal clash

At least 15 people were seriously injured in a communal clash in Rajasthan's Alwar district Monday, sparked off after some people issued an order to cut off the nose of a youth harassing a woman from their community, said  »

AMU Executive Council presented 18 names for new Vice Chancellor

The Executive Council of the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) held its much-awaited meeting today in New Delhi to discuss the profiles of the prospective candidates  »

Long queues as Egyptians begin voting in first pos-Mubarak polls

Egyptians have started casting their ballots in the first parliamentary elections since former president Hosni Mubarak was toppled in a popular uprising earlier this year. Long queues were seen outside many  »

Picture of the Day

The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh and the Emeritus Senior Minister, Mr. Goh Chok Tong, unveiled the bust and the Marker of Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru, at Asian Civilizations Museum, in Singapore on November 20, 2011.

(Photo: M. Asokan )