Page 8 - MGMG Special Issue July - Dec 2020

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Registration No: PMOPG/E/2020/0303767

Date of Filing: 10th April 2020 Date of Redressal: 10th April 2020

Issue: Regarding easing of travel restrictions during lockdown period

Grievance
Shri Manoj Soni, expressed pride over being an Indian Citizen and took the opportunity to thank the
Hon’ble Prime Minister from the core of his heart for his efforts and ways to deal with COVID-19. His
daughter is a Canadian citizen living in India since 2015 and is a resident of India. He had sent her to
Canada to live permanently but after 2014 things improved a lot in India, so she left her job as Software
engineer with IBM which was offered at a very handsome package and came to India permanently. She
even preferred to marry a local boy from Ambala, Haryana so that she could live her married life in
India. She got married on 21st February 2020 and when this pandemic hit the world, both kids were
away for honeymoon to Europe. After the Government of India cancelled Overseas Citizens of India
(OCI) advantage, she had no other option than to fly to Canada whereas her husband, being an Indian
citizen, had to come back to India. He requested to frame a policy for such people who are living in
India permanently, although citizen of some other country, to come back to India to be with their
families. That would help his daughter as well to come back to India in the first flight from Toronto to
be with her family, husband and in-laws.

Action
He was informed that a blanket ban at that time was in place on commercial flights and a complete
lockdown of the entire nation had been announced and was in force for 21 days with the aim to control
and contain the corona virus in the country. He was assured that his daughter would be able to travel to
India after the existing travel restrictions were lifted. He was told to advise his daughter to be in constant
touch with Indian Mission for any facilitation.

Citizen’s Response/ Satisfaction
“Sir, I am extremely delighted to receive such a quick reply. My children, who are Canadian citizens but
moved to India permanently in 2015, took a great decision. Proud of my nation, my Government, it’s
officials and our worthy Prime Minister...Regards”, wrote Shri Manoj Soni.

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