The Indian government has extended certain facilities in the last two years to people from the minorities of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan, namely the Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians who are currently staying on the Long Term Visa (LTV) in India, such as affidavit in place of renunciation certificate, LTV for five years instead of two years, facilities for education and employment, etc.
Now, in order to provide them fair opportunities for a more comfortable living and hassle-free movement and pursuit of economic activities within the territory of India, Government has decided to extend the following additional facilities to this class of LTV holders:
1.) Permission to open bank account
2.) Permission for purchase of property for self occupation and suitable accommodation for carrying out self–employment.
3.) Permission to take self employment.
4.) Issuance of driving licence, PAN card and Aadhar number.
5.) Allowing free movement within the State /UT where they are staying.
6.) Transfer of LTV papers from one State to other.
7.) Reduction of penalty amount to Rs.100, Rs.200 and Rs.500 instead of existing amount of $30, $130, $230 on non–extension of short term Visa /LTV.
8.) Permission to apply for LTV from the place of present residence when the applicants have changed place without permission.
Minorities of neighbouring nations became India’s concern
The Indian government led by Narendra Modi had promised that it would take a humanitarian approach to minorities from these nations and would sort out pending citizenship cases as well as cases after cases cropped up where these minorities were targeted by radicals on the basis of their religion leading to an outcry in the nation.
Many minorities such as the Hindus and Sikhs, especially, had to migrate to India as the situation became hostile to their existence in their nations prompting India to take these measures.
The Indian government has been organizing citizenship camps for the minorities of these nations to help them file their documents.
Read further here: Citizenship hopes keep Pakistani Hindus busy in Rajkot
