Difficulties in NRI voting rights being worked out: Ravi

NEW DELHI - Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi Saturday said the government was working out the difficulties in physical verification of non-resident Indians living in the Gulf countries that were hampering their participation in elections in India.

“There were difficulties of physical verification of (NRIs) living in Gulf countries,” Ravi told reporters on the sidelines of the 9th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, India’s annual event to connect with its 25-million-strong diaspora in 130 nations.

He said the government was hopeful that the “Election Commission will take a positive decision in the matter”.

Ravi said he had held two-three ministerial level discussions with the poll panel and “the difficulties were explained”.

“The rules (regarding it) are to be made by the law ministry,” he said, adding: “You can expect a solution soon.”

He said the government would merge the Overseas Citizenship of India Card and Person of Indian Origin Card into one.

“There will be one card and modalities are being worked out. This will entitle the applicants for a lifetime visa,” he said.