15-Apr-2021: Modi Government Simplifies process for re-issue of OCI Cards

In a decision which is expected to significantly ease the process for re-issue of Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cards, the Modi Government has decided to simplify the process. This decision has been taken on the directions of the Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah.

The OCI Card has proved to be very popular amongst foreigners of Indian Origin and spouses of foreign origin of Indian citizens or OCI cardholders, as it helps them in hassle free entry and unlimited stay in India. So far about 37.72 lakh OCI Cards have been issued by the Government of India.

As per the extant law, a foreigner of Indian origin or a foreign spouse of an Indian citizen or foreign spouse of an Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) cardholder, can be registered as an OCI cardholder.  OCI card is a life-long visa for entry into and stay in India with a number of other major benefits attached to it which are not available to other foreigners.

Presently, the OCI card is required to be re-issued each time a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age, in view of biological changes in the face of the applicant.   With a view to facilitate the OCI cardholders, it has now been decided by the Government of India to dispense with this requirement.   A person who has got registration as OCI cardholder prior to attaining the age of 20 years will have to get the OCI card re-issued only once when a new passport is issued after his/her completing 20 years of age, so as to capture his/ her facial features on attaining adulthood.  If a person has obtained registration as OCI cardholder after attaining the age of 20 years, there will be no requirement of re-issue of OCI card.

With a view to update the data regarding new passports obtained by the OCI cardholder, it has been decided that he/she shall upload a copy of the new passport containing his/her photo and also a latest photo on the online OCI portal, each time a new passport is issued up to 20 years of age and once after completing 50 years of age.  These documents may be uploaded by the OCI cardholder within 3 months of receipt of the new passport.

However, in the case of those who have been registered as OCI cardholder as spouse of foreign origin of a citizen of India or an OCI cardholder, the person concerned will be required to upload on the system, a copy of the new passport containing the photo of the passport holder and also a latest photo along with a declaration that their marriage is still subsisting each time a new passport is issued.   These documents may be uploaded by the OCI cardholder spouse within three months of receipt of his/ her new passport.

The details will be updated on the system and an auto acknowledgement through e-mail will be sent to the OCI cardholder informing that the updated details have been taken on record.   There will be no restriction on the OCI cardholder to travel to/ from India during the period from the date of issue of new passport till the date of final acknowledgement of his/ her documents in the web-based system.

All the above services of uploading documents will be provided on gratis basis to the OCI cardholders.

9-Mar-2021: Bureau of Indian Standards gets first prize during Swachhata Pakhwada

As per the schedule laid down by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, the Department of Consumer Affairs and all organisations under its administrative control viz. the Bureau of Indian Standards, National Test House, Indian Institute of Legal Metrology, Ranchi, as well as the five Regional Reference Standards Laboratories observed the Swachhata Pakhwada from 16th to 28th February, 2021.  Secretary, Consumer Affairs held a meeting through Video conferencing with all the organisations exhorting them to prepare Action Plans and observe the Pakhwada through various activities.  An Action Plan was prepared in the Department to celebrate the Pakhwada listing out various activities to be undertaken during the Pakhwada.

A Pledge taking ceremony was held at 11.00 AM on 16th February 2021, wherein Secretary (CA) administered the pledge on Swachhata.  Banners were displayed at prominent places in the office premises of the Department at Krishi Bhawan, Shastri Bhawan and Jamnagar House for making people aware of their responsibilities.  Similarly, banners were also displayed on the website of the Department.

In order to make the general public aware about the significance of the Pakhwada and to sensitize about cleanliness and hygiene at work place and surrounding areas, posts / photos / videos were regularly uploaded on the social media handles of the Department like twitter, Facebook and Instagram.  Taking into account the situation arising out of spread of COVID-19, masks, sanitizers and other hygiene related products, etc. were distributed to the employees. A special cleanliness drive for segregation and safe disposal of paper waste, plastic waste and e- waste was launched. Two short films on Swachhata and ‘Clean India- E- Waste Management were screened. Further, an Essay writing and Poetry competition on the theme of Swachh Bharat was organized on 23rd Feb. 2021 for the employees of the Department.  Review and weeding out of old records was carried out in various Divisions including the Departmental Record Room.  Various Divisions / Sections were inspected and adjudged on cleanliness.

The Bureau of Indian Standards, National Test House, Indian Institute of Legal Metrology, Ranchi and the Regional Reference Standards Laboratories also celebrated the Swachhata Pakhwada with various activities.  Swachhata pledge was taken by all employees, old records were reviewed and weeded out, action to weed out old furniture was taken, slogan, poster drawing and other competitions were held, saplings were planted in the office premises in BIS Hqrs. and various regional offices. Social media was used for publicizing activities related to Swachhata.  Employees were informed about the need for reduction of single use plastics.  National Test House carried out innovative activities such as camp for public about harmful effects of single use plastics and benefits of swachhata on environment.  BIS carried out special cleanliness drive and display of posters on Swachh Bharat in their offices.  RRSL, Bhubaneswar conducted a programme on sanitation, hygiene and bad effects of use of single use plastics such as bags / polythene in nearby residential colonies and also distributed handwashing soap and masks among the Basti dwellers.  RRSL, Bangalore initiated establishment of a compost unit in the office to promote zero garbage.

Based on various parameters, all the organisations under the Department were evaluated and first, second and third prizes, sponsored by the Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation were announced for Bureau of Indian Standards, National Test House and RRSL, Bhubaneswar respectively, by Secretary (CA) ) during the video conference held on 09-03-2021 to take stock of the achievements during the Pakhwada.

26-Dec-2018: DIPP Swachh Bharat Grand Challenge Awards Presented

As part of the Swachhta Pakhwada held from 1st to 15th November, 2018, Department of Industrial Policy and Promotion (DIPP) organized a Swachh Bharat Grand Challenge. This was organized to reward innovative solutions by DIPP recognized Start-ups in the country. Four areas of sanitation, waste management, water and wastewater management and air management were selected for the grand challenge.

One hundred sixty-five applications were received from 70 districts in 22 states. Unique solutions were received from start-ups who had also filed for intellectual property rights. The 1st Prize money for the Swachh Bharat Grand Challenge was Rs. 2 lakh and 2nd Prize, Rs. 1 lakh along with a certificate of appreciation. The winners in the different categories are:

During the Swachhta Pakhwada observed by DIPP in November this year various activities were also undertaken like cleaning of corridors, office premises, quadrangles and parking areas of Udyog Bhawan, moping of glass partitions and cleaning of sections/records/library.

Along with the Horticulture Department of CPWD the cutting of hedges, pruning of tree branches, mowing the lawn, display and colouring of plant pots, removal of weeds and repairs and replacement of broken pots was undertaken.

Further, in order to encourage proper upkeep and maintenance of records, Swachhata awards were given to the best maintained sections of DIPP. A committee checked every room during the Swachhta Pakhwada.

30-Nov-2018: Successful completion of Swachhta Pakhwada of Ministry in Civil Aviation

As a part of the Swachhta Pakhwada of Ministry of Civil Aviation for the year 2018, the 15 day cleanliness drive, has successfully been observed in M/o Civil Aviation and all of its organizations from 01st November 2018 to 15th November 2018.

Shri Rajiv Nayan Choubey, Secretary (Civil Aviation) inaugurated the Swachhta Pakhwada campaign in MoCA on 01st November 2018 by administering ‘Swachhta Pledge” to all the employees. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Choubey highlighted the importance of cleanliness by citing the example of the life of Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi and requested all the employees to ensure cleanliness around their workstations.

During this Pakhwada, the Ministry and its attached offices organized various activities related to cleanliness awareness such as Shramdaan by staff, short play, tree/sapling plantation, swachhta lecture, visit of Secretary, M/o Drinking Water & Sanitation to paper recycling unit of Airport Authority of India, special rally for awareness on hygiene, drawing / painting competition etc. with an objective of dissemination of the message of Swachh Bharat widely and to connect the local masses in the surrounding areas to this campaign.

Based on the swachhta related activities carried out by all the organizations of MoCA, Shri Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Civil Aviation, declared and awarded Pawan Hans Ltd (PHL), Airports Authority of India (AAI) and Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Uran Akademi (IGRUA) as the 3 best performing organizations under MoCA during this Swachhta Pakhwada

Some of the major activities undertaken during Swachhta Pakhwada were:-

• Teams of MoCA and DGCA performed short plays on Swachhta centric theme.
• Drawing/Poetry/Poster Making/Essay/Speech Competitions inviting innovative ideas for Swachhta amongst employees. Such competitions were also organized by AAI and PHL for students in identified government schools for the awareness of cleanliness.
• Paper recycling unit of AAI planned to share expertise of recycling paper with other agencies/Ministries/PSUs. NTPC has shown interest in starting their own recycling unit.
• PHL adopted a road in front of their Corporate Office along with other owners / occupants on cost sharing basis with focus on regular cleaning, proper drain management in association with Noida Authority.
• AAI invited Shri Bezwada Wilson for a lecture and workshop on cleanliness. AAI also conducted Medical awareness programme.
• In IGRUA, the bio-degradable solid waste materials collected from Mess, Kitchen and from residential area were processed in a Vermiculture Plant and the manure produced used in various gardens of the Akademi.
• IGRUA invited students of nearby schools and Gram Pradhans of nearby villages for Exhibition of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) System in IGRUA in two sessions of two hours each.
• Cleanliness drive in nearby residential colonies.