MEA must help Goans: Cong

Panaji: The Goa Pradesh Congress Committee (GPCC) on Saturday has called on the Union ministry of external affairs to intervene and protect the interests of the Goan diaspora who had moved to the United Kingdom in search of better employment opportunities on Portuguese passports.
Several Goans who renounced their Indian citizenship in favour of the Lusofonian nationality face months of uncertainty after the UK voted to move away from the European Union in a referendum.
“I think the External affairs ministry should immediately take up the issue with the United Kingdom which is also interested in having an economic bond with India. The ministry must respond and reach out to Goans in the UK and reassure them,” GPCC president Luizinho Faleiro said on the sidelines of a press conference to condemn the state government’s failure to curb inflation.
Faleiro went on to add that he had spoken to the Congress’ NRI Global community cell seeking a report on the impact that the Brexit referendum would have on the Goan diaspora settled in Britain. Faleiro went on to say that the Indian government could resolve the confusion by either setting a cutoff date for people to opt for Portuguese citizenship or by bringing an amendment to the Constitution permitting dual citizenship.
“This decision (Brexit) can create problems for them (Goans). Goans abroad have been contributing to the Indian and Goan economy by sending remittances back home. Brexit can lead to unemployment and force them to return to Goa,” Faleiro said.