Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs

The Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) was a ministry of the Government of India. It was dedicated to all matters relating to the Indian diaspora around the world.

Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs
Pravāsī Bhāratīya Kārya Mantrālay
Ministry overview
FormedMay 2004 (2004-05)
Dissolved7 January 2016
Superseding agency
JurisdictionGovernment of India
HeadquartersAkbar Bhawan, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi[1]
Websitewww.mea.gov.in/overseas-indian-affairs.htm

History

Ministry was established in May 2004 as the Ministry of Non-Resident Indians' Affairs. It was renamed as the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) in September 2004.[2]

Positioned as a ‘Services’ Ministry, it provided information, partnerships and facilitations for all matters related to Overseas Indians: Non-Resident Indian and Person of Indian Origin.[2]

The Ministry was merged with the Ministry of External Affairs on 7 January 2016.[3] The government said that the decision was taken in line with government's "overall objective of minimising government and maximising governance" and that it will help the government address duplication as well as unnecessary delays.[4]

Structure

The Ministry had four functional service divisions to handle its services:[2]

  • Diaspora Services
  • Financial Services
  • Emigration Services
  • Management Services

First two divisions were headed by Joint Secretaries. The Protector General of Emigrants (PGoE) headed the Overseas Employment Services Division. The Social Services Unit and the Management Services Unit were staffed with officers of the rank of Deputy Secretary. The Information Services Unit was headed by Senior Technical Director (NIC).[5]

The ministry also sponsored the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Divas (Non-resident Indian Day) established in 2003, when it also instituted the annual Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award.[6]

Ministers of Overseas Indian Affairs

The ministry has been headed by 4 ministers.[7]

№ Name Portrait Term of office Political party Prime Minister
1 Jagdish Tytler
(MoS, Independent Charge)		 22 May 2004 10 August 2005 Indian National Congress
(UPA)		 Manmohan Singh
- Manmohan Singh[8] 10 August 2005 18 November 2005
2 Oscar Fernandes
(MoS, Independent Charge)		 18 November 2005 29 January 2006
3 Vayalar Ravi 29 January 2006 26 May 2014
4 Sushma Swaraj 26 May 2014 7 January 2016 Bharatiya Janata Party Narendra Modi
If the office of Minister of Overseas Indian Affairs is vacant for any length of time, it automatically comes under the charge of the Prime Minister.

See also

References
  1. "Important Contacts". Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. Archived from the original on 5 March 2016. Retrieved 2 January 2017.
  2. "An Overview". Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. Archived from the original on 3 March 2016.
  3. Sushma Swaraj [@SushmaSwaraj] (7 January 2016). "Hon'ble Prime Minister has kindly accepted my proposal. So MOIA will now be part of Ministry of External Affairs" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  4. "Government to merge overseas Indian affairs ministry with MEA - Times of India". The Times of India. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  5. "About Us". Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. Archived from the original on 15 August 2007.
  6. "Pravasi Bharatiya Divas". Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs website. Archived from the original on 26 November 2010.
  7. "Former Ministers/Secretaries". Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs. Archived from the original on 28 March 2016.
  8. "Council of Ministers" (PDF).


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