Govt reduces fee on PIO cards

Government on Tuesday night , June 11' 2002 announced reduction in fee on cards issued under the Persons of Indian Origin (PIO) scheme from 1,000 US dollars to that equivalent to Rs 15,000. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.
Earlier the cards were issued for a period of 20 years and the fee charged was 1,000 dollars, an official spokesperson said after the meeting.
According to the Cabinet decision, the card would now onwards be valid for 15 years only and the fee would be dollar equivalent of Rs 15,000. Minors would be charged half the rate, she said.
The move comes in the wake of pleas by PIOs against the "exhorbitant rates" charged for the cards.