Comment: The PIO card doesn't go far enough

Persons of Indian Origin

The Indian government, by issuing the PIO (Persons of Indian Origin) card, has finally recognised the need for Indians with foreign nationalities to have stronger formal connections with India. That is, not just Indians at heart but also on paper, something that is all-important particularly in India. However, the PIO card fails in one major respect: it still requires foreign passport holders to register themselves with the police if their stay exceeds 180 days, or six months.
The reason to continue with this requirement defies logic. If the government is happy to give Indians with foreign nationalities virtually all rights (apart from political rights) that Indian citizens get, why continue with this registration requirement? After all, the PIO card is valid for 20 years and so by extension, it seems natural that a registration requirement should be needed only after that period.