Pravasi Centres to be set up in three countries : Ravi

New Delhi, Sep 4 (UNI) Prime Minister Manmohan Singh is likely to clear the proposal of the Overseas Indian Affairs (OIA) Ministry to set up three "Pravasi Centres," within two weeks.

OIA Minister Vayalar Ravi told mediapersons here today that Dr Singh would take a decision on the proposal once he returned from his visit to Brazil and Cuba, beginning September 10.

He said his ministry had proposed to set up three such centres, one each in the Gulf, Malaysia and the United States which accounted for huge number of Indian diaspora.

On his pet PIO University project, he said he held a meeting on the subject today also. "Since a few more ministries are involved, we are in continuous touch with them regarding the project," he said, adding that "there are some hurdles, but we are trying overcome them, one by one." He said there were many People of Indian Origin (PIOs) who were willing to invest in the University project. "There are enough offers." Asked about the delay in granting voting right to Non-Resident Indians (NRIs), Mr Ravi said the report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee had already been received. The legislation was referred to the Standing Committee after it was introduced in Parliament a few months ago.

He said the bill along with the report of the Standing Committee was being scrutinised by the law ministry.

The bill, which seeks to provide voting right to NRIs if they are available in the country during the election time, will be taken up for passage in the winter session of Parliament beginning in November this year. The bill seeks to effect changes in the People's Representation Act of 1951.

Mr Ravi said the amendment to the Immigration Act would be possible only after receiving the comment of three more related ministries on the draft proposal made available to them by his ministry.

UNI SH VD RS1807