Can I get lost PIO card replaced in India?

NonIndianResident

OP's update: I went to the Home Ministry and filled a form.
I had reported my PIO card as lost/stolen in my local police station so I gave them copies of the FIR and of the lost PIO Card.

The gentleman I spoke to said "You DO realise you are in this country illegally without a visa at this time, don't you?" He said that indeed the office that had originally issued it (in my case, New York consulate) has to issue the replacement, so I needed a temporary visa to let me leave India. Then he told me to come back at 5 pm, so I happily thought they'd just give me the visa that very evening.

When I came back at 5 I was given a sealed letter addressed to the Superintendant of Police in my small town, that I was to take to him. So when I went back to my small town and did this, the SP just gave me a visa extension that says "permission to stay in India extended until xxx," typed on a ratty old A4 extension form.

When I left the country I was able to just show the photocopies of the PIO card and the lost item FIR, and I didn't even need the extension. Go figure!

The information about replacing a lost PIO card is on the internet and I am going to do it by post from the US.

One lesson from this is KEEP PHOTOCOPIES OF YOUR PIO card and passport and everything else in a safe place in case you need them someday! Also, keep several copies, and NEVER submit your last copy, because they may just send you to a different office, which will want you to submit the copies again.

NonIndianResident

OP's update:
First I lost my PIO card while in India. Then, after a runaround, I was given a visa extension by my local police station, which allowed me to stay in the country until I was to leave. When I left India it turned out to be sufficient to show the FIR (police report) about losing the PIO card, and the photocopy of the lost PIO Card, with a pleading expression.

I am now applying for replacement PIO Card at the Consulate of India, New York, by post.
This page: http://indiacgny.org/php/showContent...d=102&sub=sub7 lists the documents needed for applying for a new PIO Card. It is not so clear about replacement, and I had my application returned for being incomplete, so here's what I'm sending the second time round and I hope this is complete:

These seem to be enough for a new PIO Card, and I'm sending them for the replacement, too:

Application form for PIO Card (as if you were a new applicant). I downloaded it from the website link above.
Notarised or Attested copy of my own passport.
Notarised or attested copy of husband's passport
Notarised or attested copy of our marriage certificate
Four passport size photos
A bank check or money order (The amount is clear on the link above. I sent $120, ie $100 for replacement PIO Card plus $20 for return express mail)

These are additional because it's a replacement:
Photocopy of the lost PIO Card
Notarised or attested copy of the FIR (ie police report) about the lost PIO Card
A letter requesting the replacement

I'll let you know if it works, since I've often had such good info from others in IndiaMike, but haven't seen this particular info.

NonIndianResident

After I sent all the items on the list above to the consulate in New York, they promptly sent the new PIO card, and it arrived within a week. I nearly fainted from surprise.

It has the same old expiration date, not 15 years from today.

I was told by someone in the consulate in NY, if you try calling them, only try from 2 - 4 pm, when they may sometimes answer the phone. Otherwise they don't answer at all. This info is not on the recorded messages but supposedly on the website.

BTW for a new or replacement PIO card the form needs to be filled in duplicate.

Nick-H

Brilliant!