Voting rights for NRIs likely soon: Ravi

Kozhikode, Feb 10 (UNI) The United Progressive Alliance government at the Centre was actively considering allowing non-resident Indians to participate in the country's electoral process, Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said today.

A Bill to this effect would be introduced in the ensuing Budget Session of Parliament, he said, addressing a 'Pravasi Sanghamam' organised in connection with the 29th anniversary celebration of Markazu Ssaquafathi Sunniya, a charitable educational institution.

With the enactment of the law, NRIs holding valid passports, would be able to contest elections and exercise their franchise whenever elections were held in their respective constituencies, he said.

On-the-job security of Indians working in West Asia, he said the government had already inked an agreement with the UAE on the issue and was about to sign similar agreements with Kuwait, Qatar and Saudi Arabia. It would involve the remaining Gulf nations in such treaties very soon.

Mr Ravi said the government was also in the process on simplifying emigration rules of the country aimed at opening up more job avenues abroad.

On the Sanchar Committee report on minority communities, he said the Manmohan Singh government was committed to implementing the recommendation on a phased manner.

Regarding the Mecca agreement, he said India welcomed the treaty facilitated by Saudi Arabia King Abdulla bin Abdulaziz on power sharing formula by rival factions in Palestine.

UNI