Question : Issue of Visa to PIOs

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether People of Indian Origin (PIOs) have to wait for years for immersing asthi kalash in the holy Ganga river at Haridwar due to non-issue of visa;

(b) if so, the fact and details thereof;

(c) whether due to rejection of visa applications by the Indian High Commission in Pakistan more than 100 asthi kalash are waiting for immersion in the holy Ganga; and

(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[GEN. (DR) V. K. SINGH (RETD)]

(a) No.

(b) Does not arise.

(c) According to the information available, the High Commission of India in Islamabad has not received, in recent months, any visa application mentioning the purpose of the intended visit to India as immersion of ashes in the Holy Ganges.

(d) Does not arise.