Ambassador Susmita Thomas, Consul General of India, San Francisco meets NRI community members to discuss their problems

By Prakash Panchol

Dignitaries were:
Swaran Dabgotra, Kewal Kanda,Pammi Bevli,Inder singh, Ajoy Dube, Prakash Pancholi, Amrit Bhandari,Arul Rak Pakkinathan, Deepi singh, Ramesh Bhatt, among others

Q & A.
• Pammi Bevli asked about property inherited in India, sale of the subject and bringing $$ in US
• CG. Properties can be sold in India by pio legally and Prop. tax to be paid as well as Inheritance Tax and $$ can transferred to US via RBI
• CG. There is no such thing as Dual Citizenship; although pio can buy or sell prop. Non farming land only; stated under Indian External Affairs Ministry Dept.
• Prakash Pancholi asked about status of illegal Immigrant of Indian Origin in US
• CG. If any Indian Subject living here w/o visa of any nature (H,P B F ETC) can apply for a pass port then after verification with Indian counterpart a new Pass Port will be given after 15-45 days to go back to India.
• Assylees are not subjected to Indian Constitution as they are surrendering Indian status and are in mercy of the nation they are seeking refuge, all assylees give up their rights with Indian citizenship.

• Prakash asked that since last 30 yrs we have been demanding a consular services branch in So. Cal. that will be financially supported by out sourced office in So. Cal. but will work under Indian Foreign Office regulations so office will not be a financial burden to Indian Govt.
• CG.Offices recently opened in Seattle, Atlanta recently. In order to open another office it has to be of importance of Political ties as well as economical ties with India as a consular office has several functions besides visas. If enough political ties with local elected officials and bringing economical investments exceeds requirements India will consider it.
• Ranjit complained about harassment at Indian Airports.
• CG. With a common name there can be individual asking more details thus prolonging clearance from Indian officials, it is only on individual case

The meeting lasted almost 2 hours, looked like CG really enjoyed meeting Indians as AmritBhandari called it off for further event schedule OF SCHOLARSHIP AWARD to jr, high and high school graduating students of Indian origin.