By Dr Olav Albuquerque
THE fact that nearly 26,000 Goans surrendered their Indian passports in Goa during the last decade, according to a report of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) tabled in the Goa legislative Assembly, proves Goans are leaving Goa for jobs abroad, while those from Bihar, Karnataka, UP, Jharkhand and Maharashtra are settling in Goa after renting and buying the rental properties of Goans.
This is why there is a demographic change happening which within the next 15 years will see Goans becoming a minority in their own home state. In a reply to a question asked by Congress’ Yuri Alemao on surrendering of Indian passports by Goans, Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who also holds the portfolio of Home Department, said 25,939 Goans surrendered their Indian passports in the state of Goa between January 1, 2014 and March 31, 2024.
According to data from the FRRO Goa, a total of 25,939 individuals applied for “new visa/exit permit” after surrendering their Indian passport in Goa during the last decade. In 2014, 2,037 people applied for new visa/exit services upon surrendering their Indian passports and this number shot up to 4,121 in 2016 before marginally reducing to 3,623 in 2017 and then 2,958 in 2019. In 2021 – when travel was restricted due to the onset of the Covid pandemic – the number reduced to 954 before increasing anew to 2,094 in 2023.
MANY REASONS
THE reasons for surrendering their Indian passports are many. First and foremost, Goans surrender their Indian passports to obtain Portuguese passports, so that they do not need a visa to gain entry into the United Kingdom and other European Union countries where they live on government dole and welfare measures after they’ve obtained citizenship of the UK.
Nearly 26,000 people surrendered their Indian passports in Goa in the last decade, according to a report of the Foreigners Regional Registration Office (FRRO) tabled in the state legislative Assembly. In a reply to a question asked by Congress’ Yuri Alemao on surrendering of Indian passports by Goans, Goa Chief Minister Pramod Sawant, who also holds the portfolio of Home Department, said 25,939 people surrendered their Indian passport in the state of Goa between January 1, 2014 and March 31, 2024.
However, a very harmless office memorandum dated November 30, 2022 issued by the External Affairs Ministry, which declared the purpose was “to ease hardships faced by the Indian passport holders at the time of surrender of Indian passport,” has turned out to be like a wolf in sheep’s clothing.
The possibility of the rules of the Citizenship (Amendment) Act (CAA), 2019 being framed, which will lead to the denationalisation of those Goans who opt for a Portuguese passport and just may raise hurdles for them to get the Overseas Citizenship of India (OCI) card.
CHANGING DEMOGRAPHY
THE office memorandum divides into various categories the issuing of surrender certificates in cases involving the delayed surrender of a Portuguese passport. But there is a category that can, in the manner being interpreted, completely change the demography of Goa, which in turn will adversely impact the lives of thousands of Goans.
To obtain a Portuguese passport, a Goan individual must satisfy certain conditions. The process can be relatively straightforward if the person has Portuguese ancestry or meets other eligibility requirements. The key factors are:
- Portuguese Citizenship: Goans who can demonstrate Portuguese ancestry, typically through a parent or grandparent, may be eligible for Portuguese citizenship and can then apply for a Portuguese passport.
- Residency in Portugal: Goans who have resided in Portugal for a certain period, usually 5-6 years, can apply for Portuguese citizenship and a passport after fulfilling the requirements.
The name of the Goan must be entered into the register of citizens maintained in Portugal, it is a preliminary step to obtaining a Portuguese passport. There are thousands of Goans who spend six months in their ancestral villages and then leave for the UK or other European countries where they have obtained citizenship. But they have to register with the FRRO when they return to Goa.
The question raised by the Opposition leader Yuri Alemao raises significant issues. Alemao holds a pilot’s license and represents Chandor and its environs in the assembly. Chandor has been declared a heritage village where no construction activity should be allowed because of the existence of over 200-year-old ancestral houses.
These ancestral houses will fall into disuse and crumble if they are not maintained. Already the bull Nandi which is over 1,000 years old at Cotta is not maintained properly by the ASI which has left this ancient bull exposed to the elements.
HERITAGE MANSIONS
NOW , with some of the sons of Chandor leaving for the UK, some of these old houses like the Menezes Braganza mansion or the late Sara Fernandes’ storied house, ought to be maintained with funds from the government. But the state government appears to be least bothered about preserving these ancient mansions.
And as our sons of the soil from Chandor, Curtorim, Macazana and elsewhere migrate to the UK and Portugal in search of better earnings, their ancestral houses and lands will be grabbed by those from the neighbouring states whose mother tongue is not Konkani. This will fulfil former Chief Minister Pratapsingh Rane’s goal of giving no importance to Konkani which is the mother tongue of all Goans.
