The state saw unprecedented crises, with over 700 youths facing deportation in Canada recently over forged admission letters.
Published Aug 10, 2023 | 5:05 PM ⚊ Updated Aug 10, 2023 | 5:05 PM
NRI Minister Kuldeep Dhaliwal directing the officials regarding the actions to be taken against illegal travel agents. (Supplied)
Out to curtail the menace of illegal travel agents targeting state residents, the Punjab government launched a mega verification drive, to be concluded by 10 September 10.
The state saw unprecedented crises, with over 700 youths facing deportation in Canada recently over forged admission letters provided by travel agents.
Punjab NRI Affairs and Administrative Reforms minister Kuldeep Singh Dhaliwal said that the checking of licenses and other necessary approvals etc. was underway in all districts and would be completed by 10 September.
According to him, documents of 7,179 travel agents, agencies, and offices have been collected, of which 3,547 have been verified by district teams.
He said that during this checking, 271 organisations were found to be illegal and FIRs were registered against 25 organisations. He said that out of a total of 609 complaints received during the NRI meet, 588 had been resolved and the remaining 21 cases were under process.
“Punjab government is committed to resolving the complaints of NRI Punjabis and various other matters on a priority basis. The SDM cum nodal officers posted in various districts, have been ordered to complete the checking of travel agents, agencies, offices etc. functioning in the respective districts by 10 September,” said Dhaliwal.
“The institutions and agencies which are willing to work in the right way i.e., under the law and prescribed conditions, will be given an opportunity to fulfil the prescribed conditions,” he added.
It may be noted that Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann had announced a zero-tolerance policy against illegal travel agents and issued an appeal to all victims to approach the government for redressal.
“Necessary amendments will also be made in the Immigration Act to ensure severest of severe action against such travel agents. Apart from taking exemplary action against such travel agents, the government will also start a major awareness drive to make the people aware of these dubious travel agents,” said Mann.
