Government extends Facilities for Long Term Visa holders
In an official statement issued on 20th August, 2016, the Home Ministry said that the Government has decided to broaden facilities provided to Long-Term Visa holders. Facilities include permission to open a bank account, to purchase properties for self-occupation and self-employment. Now, the refugees will also be allowed to apply for driving licenses, PAN Card and Aadhar Number.
The Partition of India, 1947
The Partition of India refers to the Partition of the British Indian Empire, which created Pakistan and India on 15th August, 1947. In the months immediately following Partition, approximately 14.5 million people crossed borders. In the Census of Displaced Persons, 1951, it was found that 7.226 million Muslims crossed over to Pakistan whereas 7.249 million Hindus and Sikhs came to India.
Refugees in India
According to official statements, India is home to about 2 lakh Hindu and Sikh refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Cities of Jodhpur, Jaisalmer, Bikaner and Jaipur have 400 Pakistani Hindu refugee settlements. Hindu refugees from Bangladesh live in West Bengal and North-eastern States. The Home Ministry of India created the online system for Long Term Visa applications for Hindu and Sikh minority refugees.
Long-Term Visas
Since the NDA-led Government took charge in May 2014, 19,000 refugees have been granted long-term visas in Madhya Pradesh, 11,000 refugees in Rajasthan and 4,000 refugees in Gujarat.
About Long-Term Visas
The system of applying for Long-Term Visas online was introduced by the Government of India in order to extend a hand to refugees from Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan seeking settlement. Applicable to people of Indian origin, Long-Term Visas are valid upto 5 years with multiple entries. The validity period of a Long-Term Visa commences from the date of its issue.
Citizenship Status
On 15th June, 2015, after being in power for a year, the BJP Government granted citizenship status to 4,300 Hindu and Sikh refugees from Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Other Benefits
Other Benefits include free movement within their State/UT of residence, being able to transfer Long-Term Visa papers from one state to another, permission to apply for LTVs from present residence and reduced penalties for non-extension of Visas.
