Press Trust of India

Hyderabad, Jan. 7: Unveiling a string of initiatives for the benefit of NRIs, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh today said the Government would soon grant voting rights to overseas Indian workers and professionals, launch a liberal insurance scheme for them and modernise the process of emigration.

Inaugurating the 4th Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, an annual convention of Indian diaspora, the Prime Minister launched Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) scheme that confers a hassle-free, life-long multiple entry visa for overseas Indians.

Amid applause from a gathering of about 2,000 NRIs from across the world, Singh handed over the first set of OCI Cards and related documents to two NRIs-- Nibriti Rai (US) and Ifthekar Ahmad Sharif-- fulfilling a long-cherished dream of overseas Indians.

The OCI Cards, considered the first step towards conferring full citizenship rights, will enable overseas Indians holding foreign passports a free access to the country, obliterating the need for police verification.

"Of the three categories of NRIs, overseas Indians in Gulf are unique. They are NRIs who will never become naturalised citizens of those countries. Their demand seeking voting rights at home has, therefore, a convincing political basis," the Prime Minister said.

The proposal to grant voting rights to such a category of NRIs was at an advanced stage of consideration, he said, adding "We hope to take appropriate measures in this regard very soon".