Agencies
New Delhi, July 13: Keeping its promise to provide succour to refugees from neighbouring countries, the BJP-led NDA government today approved a number of facilities to members of minority communities living in India on Long Term Visa (LTV) which include opening of bank account and permission to purchase properties.
The decisions were taken at a meeting of Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, an official statement said.
The facilities will be offered to persons from minority communities of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, namely Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians staying on LTV in India. "The move is aimed at easing out the difficulties being faced by them," the statement said. The facilities to be offered are opening of bank account, permission for purchase of property for self-occupation and suitable accommodation for carrying out self-employment, permission to take self-employment, issue of driving licence, PAN card and Aadhar number.
Besides, free movement within a state/UT where they are staying, transfer of LTV papers from one state to another, waiver of penalty on non-extension of short term visa/LTV on time and permission to apply for LTV from the place of present residence when the applicants have moved to the place without permission will be granted.
In order to facilitate such persons to acquire citizenship by amending Citizenship Rules 2009, the provisions will help in the following ways: the Collector/DM would be empowered to authorise an officer not below the rank of Sub Divisional Magistrate for administering the oath of allegiance to the applicant. |
