Opposition to Higher cost for New citizen for Surrender of Indian Passport

Hon. Dr. Manmohan Singh
Prime Minister of INDIA
New Delhi
INDIA

Subject: Opposition to Higher cost for New citizen for Surrender of Indian Passport

Hon. Prime Minister:

We thanks you for looking into the new rules regarding the surrender of Indian passport upon acquisition of citizenship and allowing people who have obtained citizenship earlier than June 1 only 20$. However we are not able to understand why the step motherly treatment for newer citizen and future one. Why is the classic British formula of 'Divide & rule' been applied here? In the USA, itself, almost 1000s obtain US citizenship every month. So as to speak, just after June 1st, there must be more than 1000 people in the United States, who are affected with this new rule.

The notice posted on the website of several Indian embassies and consulates stipulates that Persons of Indian Origin who have acquired citizenship of other countries are required to surrender their Indian passports to the nearest Indian Consulate within 90 days of their acquisition of citizenship of those other countries. We have no objection if the enforcement of the new rules takes effect from the date of issue. However the minimum service fee of 20$ should be applicable for new and future citizens as well. A heavy fine of $175 or more should be applied to those who do not surrender within the stipulated time period.

We urge the Government of India to reconsider the retroactive enforcement of the new rules for all and not just for people who became citizen before June 1 2010.

Sincerely,

The Undersigned