The 24th convention of the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) has raised concerns over the growing tendency of the relatives of overseas Indians to grab their ancestral property. The meet also urged the Centre to set up fast track courts exclusively to settle property-related matters pertaining to the people of Indian origin (PIOs) and non-resident Indians (NRIs). A resolution passed at the convention stated that the share of PIOs and NRIs in their ancestral properties was being grabbed by relatives in connivance with local authorities and unscrupulous elements.
“Women living abroad were being denied a fair share of their parental property by manipulating the distribution process,” it said. The convention also condemned the limit imposed on gold that NRIs can carry with them while visiting the country. The current rules allow men to carry gold jewellery worth `10,000 and for women, it is `20,000.
“This means that only three grams of gold are allowed for men and six grams for ladies. So, we are not allowed to wear even a ring. We resolve to bring this issue to the attention of the authorities, asking them to quash the policy. If a limit must be put, it should be at least 25 grams for a men and 50 grams for a women,” the resolution added.
During the valedictory function, Minister for Overseas Indian Affairs Vayalar Ravi said the Ministry was always ready to help NRIs.
Governor of Kerala and Karnataka Hansraj Bhardwaj gave away the GOPIO Community Service Awards 2013 to seven PIOs/NRIs and conferred special recognition on five. The recipients of the awards are Sunny Augustine, Dubai; George Subraj, USA; Dr Anil Mehta, Netherlands; Ajay Rane, Australia; Vasu Chanchlani, Canada; Ishwar Ramlutchman, South Africa and Murray Bullock, St Vincent and Grenadines. Special recognition was conferred on Yusuffali M A, UAE; A Didar Singh, India; Manpreet Kaur Singh, Australia; Ashok Rao, USA, and Awtar Singh (posthumously), USA. Chief Minister Oommen Chandy and Minister K C Josephwere present at the function.