Haryana Government Cracks Down on Illegal Immigration: Travel Agents Face Up to 10 Years Jail, Rs 2 Lakh Fine
The Voice of Chandigarh News:
Haryana Government Cracks Down on Illegal Immigration: Travel Agents Face Up to 10 Years Jail, Rs 2 Lakh Fine.
- Mandatory registration: Travel agents in Haryana will be required to register with the government, with stringent verification and renewal processes. This aims to create a transparent system and identify and weed out unscrupulous agents.
- Penalties: The bill proposes harsh penalties for travel agents involved in illegal immigration activities, including:
- Imprisonment: Up to 10 years in jail for facilitating travel abroad using fake documents or other illegal means.
- Financial penalties: A minimum fine of Rs. 2 lakh, potentially extending to Rs. 5 lakh, depending on the severity of the offense.
- Property confiscation: The bill empowers authorities to confiscate movable and immovable properties of convicted travel agents, further deterring illegal practices.
- Combating “donkey route”: The bill specifically targets the “donkey route”, a term used for dangerous and illegal immigration pathways organized by unscrupulous agents.
Objectives of the bill:
- To protect individuals, especially young people, from falling prey to fraudulent immigration schemes.
- To deter travel agents from engaging in illegal immigration activities.
- To disrupt and dismantle networks involved in human trafficking and illegal immigration.
Current status:
- The bill was approved by the Haryana Cabinet, and is expected to be tabled in the state legislature soon.
- Once passed, the bill will need to be notified by the Governor before it comes into effect.
Additional context:
- This bill is part of a wider effort by the Haryana government to address illegal immigration concerns. They have also established a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to investigate immigration fraud and have proposed stricter regulations for travel agents, including a Rs. 25 lakh bank guarantee requirement.
- The effectiveness of the bill will depend on its implementation and enforcement. While it may deter some unscrupulous agents, addressing the root causes of illegal immigration will require a multi-pronged approach.
If you have any further questions about the specifics of the bill, its potential impact, or the wider context of illegal immigration in Haryana, feel free to ask!
