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Proposal to establish Overseas Centres in United States, Gulf, Malaysia
New Delhi, Mar 8 : Government is examining a proposal for establishing Overseas Centres, initially in the US, Malaysia and the Gulf, the Lok Sabha was informed today.
The proposal to establish the Centres is under examination in consultation with the Ministries of External Affairs and Finance, Overseas Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi said in a written reply.
Three centres are proposed to be opened initially -- one each in the US, Malaysia and the Gulf, he said.
They are expected to be established at the earliest, he said adding these centres will inter alia extend legal and medical counselling services.
Diaspora: The government is considering a proposal to establish the Diaspora Knowledge Network (DKN) that can utilise the knowledge resources of the Indian diaspora, Ravi said.
It will also facilitate interaction between the providers of knowledge and its users in India such as educational institutions, research laboratories, industry and government programmes, through the use of information and communication technologies, he said.
The DKN will be established after consultation with the relevant stakeholders like the UN, Diaspora Knowledge hubs, private sector partners and concerned state governments in India, Ravi said.
PIOs: At least 4278 Overseas Citizens of India (OCI) documents have been issued to Persons of Indian Origin (PIOs) mainly from the US, Australia and Canada, Ravi said, adding no OCI holds any post in India.