Tony Fernandes, Group CEO of leading Asian budget carrier AirAsia who had raked up Jet Airways chairman Naresh Goyal's NRI status during a debate over foreign control of airlines, has been granted Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card by the central government.
The OCI status gives Fernandes, an Malaysian national, parity with vis-a-vis non-resident Indians (NRIs) in financial and economic transactions. The development comes amid questions raised over foreign control in AirAsia and Vistara. The Federation of Indian Airlines, an association of four domestic carriers -- Jet Airways, IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir -- have raised concerns about control and ownership at AirAsia India.
Fernandes, whose father was of Goan origin, announced the development on the second anniversary of AirAsia India on Sunday. "I am also delighted to share that I have been granted the OCI status. India has always been close to my heart as my father was from this country and Goa is my ancestral homeland. My father's posting brought him to Malaysia, but he never stopped talking about Goa and the rest is history." he said in a statement.
The OCI status provides parity with NRIs in financial and economic areas apart from getting multiple entry and multi-purpose life long visa to visit India. Also, it exempts him from reporting to police for any length of stay in India. Among other criteria, any person who is grandchild/great grandchild of a foreign national who was/or eligible as a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after January 26, 1950 can be given the status of OCI.
To Read the News in Full 13/03/16 Shahkar Abidi/DNA
The OCI status gives Fernandes, an Malaysian national, parity with vis-a-vis non-resident Indians (NRIs) in financial and economic transactions. The development comes amid questions raised over foreign control in AirAsia and Vistara. The Federation of Indian Airlines, an association of four domestic carriers -- Jet Airways, IndiGo, SpiceJet and GoAir -- have raised concerns about control and ownership at AirAsia India.
Fernandes, whose father was of Goan origin, announced the development on the second anniversary of AirAsia India on Sunday. "I am also delighted to share that I have been granted the OCI status. India has always been close to my heart as my father was from this country and Goa is my ancestral homeland. My father's posting brought him to Malaysia, but he never stopped talking about Goa and the rest is history." he said in a statement.
The OCI status provides parity with NRIs in financial and economic areas apart from getting multiple entry and multi-purpose life long visa to visit India. Also, it exempts him from reporting to police for any length of stay in India. Among other criteria, any person who is grandchild/great grandchild of a foreign national who was/or eligible as a citizen of India at the time of, or at any time after January 26, 1950 can be given the status of OCI.
To Read the News in Full 13/03/16 Shahkar Abidi/DNA
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