Pitfalls in PIO card scheme

I AM happy to learn about the scheme for the PIO card that the Government of India is likely to issue to persons of Indian origin (PIOs). As a Tribune report indicates, it will benefit a large number of people. The Indian Ambassador to the USA, Mr Naresh Chandra, had indicated recently that such a card might be forthcoming. We are delighted to learn that the Indian government considers this to be important to the PIOs.

The PIOs already enjoy some of the benefits listed under this scheme. The feature of the PIO card that makes it unique is that, for a period of 20 years, such persons will not need visas when entering India. They can stay for a period of up to 180 days, with longer stays requiring permission.

However, this special privilege does not warrant a hefty fee of $ 1,000 per person. Consider a family of four wanting to get PIO cards for each member — the cost will be $ 4,000. This is an astronomical sum, even by Western standards!

Second, if the PIO card is valid for 20 years, its cost will be $ 50 per year. In present value terms, the cost will be closer to $ 80 per year, because you are paying all that money up-front. One must make a trip to India every year for 20 years, and the cost of obtaining a visa to India must be $ 80 or more to justify that price.

Finally, what about someone who is older or envisions visiting India fewer than 20 times?

You might argue that the PIO card is not for everyone. But, then is this card only for the elite or just another bureaucratic scheme to raise money from PIOs?

I say thanks, but no thanks, This is a good idea whose time has come. Let the bureaucrats find another way to raise revenue, and lower the price of the PIO card to more reasonable levels. I know my PIO friends in the USA, Canada and the UK will agree with that.

Dr Pradeep Ganguly
Rockville (Maryland, USA)

* * * *

Cleanliness in Chandigarh

Last year I was in Chandigarh to see my relatives. While living in the USA for six years, I always used to tell my friends that Chandigarh was the most beautiful city in India, designed by a world class architect.

This time, however, wherever I went there was garbage rotting on the side streets and especially on the rotaries. It seems rotaries are more of a garbage dump than anything else.

On the outskirts, near the famous cricket stadium, I felt as if I was driving through some backward district of Bihar — people of all ages, defecating openly in broad daylight. They reflected no feeling of shame or sense of civic responsibility. Some-women would turn their back towards traffic while squatting. Street-lights were non-functional. To make the situation worse, policemen at the barriers would ask ridiculous questions.

My American wife, to whom I have always told that we would finally settle in Chandigarh, was quite surprised after seeing all this.

If the people of Punjab and Haryana want to ensure that their state capital remains a beautiful city, they will have to prevent encroachments and the coming up of jhuggi colonies.

Sarvjit Singh
Millis, MA (USA)

* * * *

A monumental task

I have read with great interest the article “Factors behind population problem” by Mr Rahul Singh.

The biggest obstacle in the progress of the developing countries is population growth. Population grows with the geometrical progression whereas progress/development takes place in accordance with the arithmetical progression. The difference increases as the time passes. In India, we have already wasted the crucial years after 1947. Now with population nearing one billion, the task is difficult, if not impossible, and I can see that there is no such discussion in the newspapers or by politicians. Perhaps, the subject is considered hopeless.

It is a monumental task to provide all the basic necessities to one billion people. The water scarcity will lead the shortfalls. Life in big cities of India has already become difficult without adequate infrastructure. There is little hope that living conditions will improve unless population growth is controlled effectively.

Apar S. Bhagar
Rochester Hills, MI

* * * *

Shameful decision

I am ashamed of the decision of Guru Nanak Dev University to reduce the punishment of those candidates who were penalised for using unfair means in the 1998-99 examinations.

The great men and women of yore upheld the tenets of Sikhism and on the basis of these principles made sacrifices to sustain their faith against most brutal of attacks.

Instead of celebrating the tercentenary of the Khalsa by elevating the masses to a higher standard of moral/ethical conduct, the university has disgraced itself through its shallow action. Worse still it has sullied the name of Guru Nanak.

Ravi M.
Greeley, Colorado (USA)

(These letters were received in response to The Tribune’s Internet edition.)