For the sake of clarity - the Goa card is not a hand out. One has to pay
Rs. 250/- for the card which I assume is the cost of processing/making the
card. Part of the cost was covered through sponsorship by the State Bank of
India. You do not get a hand out. Shrewd businessman, eyeing the potential
business from Non-Resident Goans are offering discounts to NRGs, One
cannot call that a hand out.
The card is intended to address a longstanding complaint from Non-Resident
Goans, about the diffiiculties they face when they come to Goa and have to
deal with Government departments. As one who has had such dealings with the
bureaucracy, it is frustrating and demeaning and time consuming. Several
times I was refered to in a derogatory manner as a "Bhailo". I found it
galling that I was being singled out for such treatment because I was a
non-Resident Goan.. I was not asking for special treatment. I just wanted
to be treated the same as my other fellow resident Goans - no more and no
less. I always stand patiently in the long queues waiting my turn to be
attended to at Government offices. When I finally get my turn at the
counter, all I expect is the same respect as any one else. So the intent
behind the issuance of the card is good, and I definitely do not consider it
to be a handout to NRGs. The question is - will it work ?
I personally am adopting a ""wait and see" attitude, before I apply for the
card. It is my understanding that as the word has gotten out, applications
are pouring in, which probably reflects the need for such an identification
card.,
