Modi govt slammed for failing to consider voting rights for NRIs

December 23, 2015

Kasaragod, Dec 23: Prime Minister Narendra Modi led union government is taking non-resident Indians (NRIs) for a ride by failing to fulfil the various assurances made to them, CPI (M) State Secretary Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has alleged.

Mr. Balakrishnan was inaugurating the 4th State conference of the Kerala Pravasi Sanghom here on Monday.

The governments are yet to consider voting rights for the NRIs despite making assurances to this effect over the years. Even the Supreme Court has hailed the proposal. But the Centre and the Elections Commission continue to ignore the aspirations of the NRIs, he said.

Stating that the country is saving foreign exchange owing to the steady fall in crude oil prices, Mr. Balakrishnan demanded that the government take steps to slash airfare so that the NRIs can make hassle-free journey to their homes and even cast their vote.

Mr. Balakrishnan flayed the United Democratic Front (UDF) government for treading slow on the ambitious Air Kerala project despite making tall promises to usher in a series of developmental projects.

The government has not acted either on widening the National Highways or on laying the hill highway to ease congestion in road traffic.

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