Govt tells DCs, SSPs to take action against travel agents violating rules
To tighten the noose around travel agencies violating the Emigration Act, the Punjab government has directed deputy commissioners and district police heads to ensure the implementation of rules under the Act in letter and spirit apart from taking necessary action against the violators.
While ordering the deputy commissioners to monitor the promotional and advertisement activities of these agencies, it has also directed the travel agents to submit details of their monthly expenditure on advertisements to the administration by way of self-declaration forms.
The orders were passed by the state government after it received complaints from the Protector General of Emigrants, New Delhi, and Protector of Emigrants, Chandigarh and the Ministry of External Affairs about violations of various provisions of the Emigration Act.
In the complaints, the authorities concerned pointed out that numerous travel agents registered under Punjab Travel Professions Regulation (PTPR) Act, 2012 were engaged in activities that contravene provisions of the Emigration Act.
As per the orders passed by government in June-end, certain PTPR Act licensed travel agents were advertising and promising employment and work visa opportunities for foreign countries apart from assisting individuals with ‘work permits’, ‘employment visas’ and other job related travel services which was beyond the scope of permissible services for travel agents.
Certain travel agents were also found to be operating without requisite, recruiting agent certificates or foreign employer permits mandated under the Emigration Act which amounts to a clear violation of various provisions under the Act. It also added that several FIRs had already been lodged by the NRI wing of the Punjab Police.
The Punjab government has asked the DCs to monitor the activities of travel agents, especially on different social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp etc.
It asked them to obtain monthly self-declarations from all licensed travel agents under the PTPR Act regarding their advertisements and publicity practices. It also directed all the Police Commissioners and SSPs to take legal action against the offenders under the Emigration Act in addition to the continuing enforcement drive against illegal and unregistered travel agents.
Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sawhney has further forwarded the orders to police authorities and sub- divisional magistrate to implement the orders in letter and spirit and take necessary action against the violators.
Amritsar