The government on Thursday announced its decision to merge the ministry of overseas Indian affairs (MOIA) with the external affairs ministry to avoid duplication of work and streamline facilities. A proposal to this effect was made by external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj and approved by the Prime Minister. "I realised that substantial work of MOIA is done through our missions abroad. Therefore, I proposed to Prime Minister that MOIA should be merged with ministry of external affairs," Swaraj said in a tweet. Spokesperson in the ministry of external affairs Vikas Swarup said the process of merger has already begun and the exercise is being personally supervised by Swaraj while keeping in mind the needs of the diaspora. He said the decision will help government address duplication as well as unnecessary delays in various works. Swarup said the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas, which used to be a flagship event of the MOIA, will be celebrated by the MEA on January 9. Since the creation of MOIA in 2004, there have been two separate ministers in charge of the two ministries. However, since 2014 Swaraj and minister of state in MEA V K Singh were handling both the ministries, said Swarup.