Question : WORKS UNDERTAKEN BY OIA MINISTRY



the details of various works undertaken by the Ministry since its inception?

Answer given by the minister

MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) IN THE MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRI JAGDISH TYTLER)

Since its inception in May 2004, the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs has taken up the following major initiatives:


(i) Finalisation of the allocation of work to the Ministry to reflect its status as the one-stop shop for interaction with overseas Indians;

(ii) Face-to-face contacts with the overseas Indian communities in twenty five countries to understand their problems at first hand and promote their participation in the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas 2005;

(iii) Holding a one-day Seminar of leading Diaspora scholars (December 2004) on the theme of Diaspora and its Governance to prepare an agenda for the Diaspora;

(iv) Organizing the third Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (7-9 January 2005) to engage the Indian Diaspora;

(v) Getting the land allotted for the Pravasi Bhartiya Kendra;

(vi) Preparing information booklet/advisory for women marrying Overseas Indians;

(vii) Initiating a scheme to provide Scholarships for Overseas Indian students to enable them study in Indian institutions;

(viii) Initiating Pilot project on `Tracing the Roots` in identified districts in UP and Bihar;

(ix) Innovative schemes through State Governments to upgrade the skills of workers;

(x) Expediting the process of grant of Overseas (dual) Citizenship as per PM`s announcement at PBD 2005;

(xi) Tabulating facilities/benefits for Overseas Indians currently available to bring them on par with resident Indians;

(xii) Facilitating adoption of children by Overseas Indians through CARA.