Initiatives:
Facilitating investment in India
- The MOIA and the CII have set up the Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) for the following:
- To promote Overseas Indian investments in India and facilitating business partnerships
- Establishing and maintaining a Diaspora knowledge network
- Assisting States in India to project investment opportunities for Overseas Indians and
- Offering a host of advisory services to PIOs and NRIs.
The governments of Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Orissa and Punjab have partnered with the OIFC to apprise the Diaspora of investment opportunities in their respective States.
Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF)
The Government of India has set up a community welfare fund in 48 Indian missions abroad to facilitate the Diaspora community in times of difficulty. It is expected that this assistance will be extended to all missions around the world.
The ICWF is aimed at providing “onsite” welfare services on a means-tested basis in the most deserving cases. This includes:
- Boarding and lodging for distressed NRI workers in Household / domestic sectors and unskilled laborers
- Extending emergency medical care to NRIs
- Providing air passage to stranded NRIs
- Providing initial legal assistance to NRIs in deserving cases
- Expenditure on incidentals and on airlifting mortal remains to India or the local cremation or burial of the deceased NRI in such cases where there is no one to bear the cost.
Know India Program (KIP)
The KIP is a three-week orientation program for Diaspora youth in the age group of 18–26 years. It provides awareness around the diverse facets of the country and the progress the country has made in various fields.
These are conducted in partnership with one or two State Governments.
The participants, PIOs, are selected based on recommendations received from heads of Indian missions and posts abroad. As part of the program they get the opportunity to interact with high dignitaries as well as faculty and students at prestigious institutions. 90% of the cost of air ticket is refundable on the successful completion of the program.
Scholarship Programme for Diaspora Children
Under this scheme, 100 PIO and NRI students are awarded scholarships of up to US$ 3,600 per annum for undergraduate courses in engineering, technology, humanities, liberal arts, commerce, management, journalism, hotel management, agriculture and animal husbandry, among other courses. The scheme is being implemented through EdCIL (India) Ltd. It is open to NRIs and PIOs from more than 40 countries with a substantial Indian population.
Tracing their roots
PIOs who want to trace the roots of their ancestors in India can apply through the Indian mission or post in the country of their residence.
Reservation of seats at Indian educational institutions
The government has approved a scheme enabling the supernumerary quota of 15% seats in all institutions of higher education or universities offering higher and technical courses for foreign nationals, or PIOs and children of Indian workers in the Gulf countries.
It has also been envisaged that one-third of the 15% supernumerary quota shall be reserved across different disciplines for the children of Indian workers in the Gulf countries.
Further, the concerned State Government or Union Territory shall notify the tuition and other fee for candidates to be admitted under the foreign national/ PIO category. There shall be no NRI fee. The children of Indian workers in the Gulf countries shall be treated at par with resident Indian citizens.