New Delhi, Sep 4 (IANS) A bill to extend voting rights to non-resident Indians (NRIs) would come up again in the winter session of parliament as the house panel had returned it to the law ministry after examination.

"The bill will come up again in the winter session of parliament. The parliamentary standing committee has given its report over it," Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi told reporters here.

"The report is positive. The bill is expected to be passed without major changes," Ravi said.

The new bill seeking to confer voting rights to Indian citizens who are away from their place of ordinary residence in India for employment, education or otherwise, was introduced in parliament in the budget session and had been referred to the parliamentary panel on personnel, public grievances, law and justice for examination and report.

Voting rights for NRIs were promised by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh during India's annual conclave to connect with its diaspora - the Pravasi Bharatiya Divas - in Hyderabad in January.

The prime minister had said the demand for such rights had a "convincing political basis" and assured the delegates that his government would take appropriate measures in this regard.