New Delhi: The district administration of Ludhiana has intensified its efforts to check illegal immigration services following the deportation of a group illegal immigrants by the United States recently. Deputy Commissioner Jitendra Jorwal has set up a five-member panel which will identify and take action against illegal travel and immigration agents functioning without proper authorisation.
The committee will be set up under The Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act and The Punjab Travel Professionals Regulation Act, 2012. It will carry out inspection of IELTS coaching centres, travel agencies, ticketing agents, general sales agents and immigration consultancies across the district. Officials have been directed to submit a comprehensive report within a week, Hindustan Times reported.
Who will be there in the panel
The five-member panel will consist of the subdivisional magistrate, tehsildar, assistant commissioner, assistant commissioner of police, and the general manager of the district industries centre.
As per data, as many as 1,632 registered immigration offices are running in the district, but authorities suspect that hundreds of unauthorised agents are functioning, especially in rural areas. Several of these unregulated firms allegedly deceive people by promising overseas jobs or student visas, only to leave them in the lurch later.
Jorwal was quoted as saying by the news outlet that they have identified 1,632 licensed immigration offices and there are several illegal units. He pointed out that the committee will carry out a survey and submit a report within a week. Action will be taken against those flouting the rules.
The decision to form a committee comes in the wake of a sharp spike in complaints about immigration fraud. Several residents have fallen prey to agents who charge exorbitant fees but fail to provide them legal visas.
Officials have asked the people to verify the credentials of immigration agents before opting for their services. The administration has said that stringent action will be taken against those who are found functioning without proper authorisation.
