Zero-balance accounts, on-line admission for foreign students

Basant Kumar Mohanty

New Delhi, Apr 5 (PTI) Provision for opening accounts in
nationalised banks with zero-balance, on-line admission and
urgent visa clearance for research scholars are among a slew
of measures India will take to attract more international
students to the country.

The government has given the go-ahead to have a host of
facilities for the international students as recommended by
an inter-ministerial committee set up by Prime Minister
Manmohan Singh last year.

"The Prime Minister's Office has accepted the new
measures to be taken for attracting more international
students. Detailed modalities for implementation of the
measures are being worked out," a top government official told
PTI here.

The committee, headed by former Director General of
Indian Council of Cultural Relations Pavan Verma, has
suggested measures that include making proper advertisement in
foreign countries about Indian culture, educational system,
reputed universities and courses offered by them.

The government has also accepted the committee's
suggestion for accelerating process of transfer of
institution, if opted by any international students in India,
and opening international students centre. The committee had
favoured periodic interaction of Foreigners Regional
Registration Office (FRRO) authorities with foreign students.

The universities and educational institutions will start
on-line admission facility to help the foreign students apply
and get admission in certain Indian institution before coming
to India.

The Ministry of External Affairs will issue students'
visas on the basis of list of recognised universities and
educational boards prepared and circulated by the Ministry of
HRD and on production of confirmed admission letters.

The MEA will issue visas only after a stringent scrutiny
of the students' financial status. The issuance of visa should
be subjected to the student having deposited tuition fee for
one-year to the concerned university or college.

It has to be ensured that the foreign student has a
minimum amount of USD 2,000 ready and available to meet his
day-to-day expenses. For courses less than one-year duration,
students should carry a minimum of USD 1,000.

Institutions will tie up with the banks -- Indian or
foreign banks with operation in India -- having
on-line/internet banking facility, where the students can open
a zero-balance account and deposit money even in home country.
Deposits in these accounts could be utilised to scrutinise the
financial status of the foreign students. PTI BKM
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