E-Paper
Consular and other Issues
The High Level Committee noted that the Indian Diaspora all over the world had substantially similar problems about their experiences in India, ranging from the ill-treatment, harassment and the demands for illegal gratification it encounters at the hands of consular, customs and immigration officials.
The High Level Committee noted that the Indian Diaspora all over the world had substantially similar problems about their experiences in India, ranging from the ill-treatment, harassment and the demands for illegal gratification it encounters at the hands of consular, customs and immigration officials.
The poor facilities at airports high-lighted by the tragic death of a child in an ill-maintained escalator at the Indira Gandhi International Airport - warranting a determined effort aimed at their complete eradication.
During their stay, visitors face a number of problems during their interactions with other government agencies and public sector banks, including fraudulent encashment of fixed deposits in Indian banks using forged Powers of Attorney, demands for illegal gratification in offices issuing driving licences, etc.
The Committee accordingly made several concrete recommendations to the Government for urgent implementation to introduce transparency and efficiency in the handling of PIO/NRls. These included - the creation of separate immigration and customs counters for NRIs and PlOs; special in-service orientation courses and training of officials manning the immigration and customs counters at the international airports.
The panel also rcommended installation of closed circuit televisions to maintain surveillance at immigration, customs and security check-points and monitored by an independent agency (this acts as a very effective deterrent and also provides the means for verification of the culpability or otherwise of any accused official), and many other useful recommendations aimed at removing the possibilities of harassment.
Several measures to effectively prevent bank fraud, property fraud and marriage fraud were recommended. The Committee also recommended that the requirements of furnishing of Tax Clearance Certificate at the time of departure from India, in case the period of stay in India exceeded 120 days, and for registration with the police authorities if the duration of the visit exceeds 180 days - should be publicised by our Missions, and the period of stay in the former case should be increased to 180 days.
