More facilities to minority community migrants from Pakistan, Bangladesh

The government said on Saturday that it has decided to extend additional facilities, including permission to open bank account and taking self-employment, to persons from minority community of Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Pakistan on Long-Term Visa (LTV).

A home ministry release said that the central government has extended certain facilities in last two years to persons from the minority community of the three countries, namely Hindus, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis and Christians staying on additional facilities extended to persons residing in India on LTV.

The facilities include affidavit in place of renunciation certificate, LTV for five years instead of two years and facilities for education and employment.

The release said that 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," the government has decided to extend more additional facilities to these LTV holders.

These include permission for purchase of property for self occupation and suitable accommodation for carrying out self-employment, permission to take self employment, issuance of driving licence, PAN card and Aadhar number, allowing free movement within the state /UT where they are staying and transfer of LTV papers from one state to other.

Other additional facilities include 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 and permission to apply for LTV from the place of present residence when the applicants have changed place without permission.

--IANS

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