The controversial tax proposal, which was greeted with widespread protest and dismay by overseas Indians, is detrimental to the interests of NRIs who contribute substantially to the country’s development, Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (Gopio), the world’s largest group of Indians living abroad, said in a statement sent to Khaleej Times. The call for tax withdrawal was one of the many resolutions passed by the UN-accredited organisation to safeguard the interests of Indian diaspora, at the conclusion of the Gopio Convention 2011 held in New Jersey recently. At the biennial convention, Sunny Kulathakal from Bahrain was elected executive vice-president of the organisation for two years. He is the first Indian expatriate from the Gulf region to be elected to such senior position. Gopio also called for setting up a government mechanism to enable NRIs to voice their grievances and prevent adverse government policies. The New York-based body also urged New Delhi to nominate a few prominent NRIs to the Rajya Sabha.
It called for the initiation of suitable steps to set up fast track courts to deal with the growing number of property offences targeting NRIs, and urged the government to take steps for speedy disposal of cases involving custody of children of NRI parents. Gopio has also urged the Indian government to augment the staff strength of consulates for the convenience of NRIs. The meeting has resolved to identify and designate a single date that can be called International Indian Emigration Day.
While welcoming the setting up of Global Advisory Council by India, Gopio has requested the government to give representation to diaspora organisations in the council. The meeting resolved to extend all support to the Know India Programme initiated by the Indian government and wants a Gopio-Pravasi member committee to be set up to initiate the programme. The organisation said as more and more job seekers from India are falling prey to unscrupulous elements abroad, the Indian government should take suitable steps for the rehabilitation of such victims. Gopio also expressed special thanks to the authorities in the Kingdom of Bahrain for taking prompt action to protect the Indian community during the recent disturbances. The meeting has also urged the Government of India to end the discriminatory practices against NRIs at archeological sites and hotels.
During the convention, Gopio International held elections for positions in the new two-year term in the Gopio Executive Council in accordance with Gopio’s by-laws and procedures. The results of the elections are: Ashook Ramsaran (USA) was unanimously elected international president; Sunny Kulathakal (Bahrain) was unanimously elected executive vice-president; Dr Piyush Agrawal (USA) was unanimously elected senior vice-president; Inder Singh (USA) was returned as chairman.