Punjab: Notice issued to 271 travel agents for not renewing license

Punjab: In a bid to curb human trafficking, Deputy Commissioner Dr Himanshu Aggarwal has issued notices to 271 travel agents in Jalandhar district. The notices have been served on agents who have not renewed their licences even after the expiry of the licence period. The administration’s move is also aimed at preventing travel agents from indulging in illegal activities. The DC has also directed all SDMs of the district to inspect documents in the offices of travel agents and immigration consultants in their jurisdiction. According to sources, this will help prevent people wishing to go abroad from being duped by unauthorised travel agents. Dr Aggarwal also directed the police to immediately inform the Deputy Commissioner’s office if any case is registered against any travel agent in the district. He urged travel agents of the district to properly maintain office records and avoid working with incomplete documents. He said strict action will be taken against unauthorised travel agents. He also appealed to people wishing to go abroad to always opt for the legal immigration route. He advised them to contact only registered immigration consultants, whose list is available on the websites www.jalandhar.nic.in and www.emigrate.gov.in. For more information, individuals can contact the Protector General of Emigrants helpline at 95306-41790 or email at poechd@mea.gov.in, he said. The website also provides detailed information about immigration rules under the Immigration Act, along with a facility to lodge immigration-related complaints. Speaking to The Tribune, the DC said, “So far, show-cause notices have been issued to 271 travel agents and strict action will be taken against those not following the law. In future, those violating the norms may face additional action or cancellation of license.” About the deportees who did not press for cases in Jalandhar, he said, “They have been counselled and our teams are contacting them. Most of them are still in a state of shock and are not willing to say much. Some of them may also be wary of the means they have gone through. We have repeatedly assured them that action will be taken only against the agents and not against them.” Skill development and rehabilitation programmes have also been initiated for the returnees to ensure employment opportunities for them, the DC said.