PRUDENT MOVE

BETTER sense has prevailed with the Government of India deciding to defer the controversial online pre-registration for NON-ECR passport holders (“e-migrate registration for NRIS deferred,” Nov.29, The Gulf Today).

THIS Is not THE irst time that THE government has proposed something and withdrawn it after facing adverse reaction. My question is why they don’t engage the community before implementing policies of such nature. Pushing something down the throats of law abiding citizens is bad not only in principle but democratically unsound.

Though the rule was to come in force in a little over a month’s time it had already created a lot of confusion among the expatriate community here. A family friend who was scheduled to go down with his family to Goa for Christmas was in two minds whether to go or not, because HE FEARED BEING OF LOADED should THERE be a glitch in the system on his return. He naturally was relieved with this announcement.

Some months back the government was mulling over making changes to Indian passport which included dropping the in al page which carried the proof of residence and changing the colour of the booklet based on socioeconomic backgrounds. But eventually shelved the plan after a public outcry.

In future the government would do well if they engage the community including the Non Resident Indians in such policy matters before enacting them. Radika Naik

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