Meeting on issues of minorities from neighbouring nations

To address issues related to granting long term visa (LTV) and Indian citizenship to minority communities from neighbouring countries, the government has convened a meeting here next week, official sources said Monday.

Additional secretary (foreigners) in the ministry of home affairs (MHA) will hold a meeting with representatives from nearly ten such associations Dec 23 to discuss problems being faced by minority communities from neighbouring countries, they said.

Following directions from union Home Minister Rajnath Singh, a task force under the joint secretary (foreigners) was formed last September to monitor and expedite the processing of citizenship papers and LTV applications.

The MHA has received representations from time to time citing hardships and difficulties in grant of LTV/citizenship applications, especially of minorities from neighbouring countries who are often of poor economic standing.