Punjab Govt Cancels 40 Travel Agents' Licences Amid Deportation Row

Police are continually registering cases against other travel agents who send Indians illegally and raids have been conducted to catch them.

Travel agents must maintain proper records and ensure they are not operating with incomplete documentation.

Source : ABPLIVE AI

Punjab Police has cancelled the licences of around 40 travel agents amid a huge row over the deportation of Indians who had illegally migrated to the United States. These agents would seek exorbitant fees to make people enter countries through 'donkey routes'.

This crackdown on fraudulent travel agents was carried out under the orders of Amritsar Deputy Commissioner Sakshi Sahni, according to India Today.

According to an NDTV report, the licenses of some IELTS were also cancelled, these actions are to be continued in the future as well. The Amritsar police have taken action based on the complaint against these travel agents operating from the city and further action could be expected in the coming days.

Police are continually registering cases against other travel agents who send Indians illegally and raids have been conducted to catch them.

The raid followed the return of over 300 Indians deported from the U.S. and Panama on deportation flights earlier this month, reported India Today.

As per the report, people from Punjab have formed the largest group among Indians deported back by the US. Three flights carrying deportees arrived on February 5, 15, and 16, bringing back a total of 333 Indians. The highest number of individuals from one state—126 individuals, or 37.8%—were from Punjab.

According to India Today, Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) have been directed to inspect documents at the offices of travel agents and immigration consultants. The district police have been instructed to promptly inform the Deputy Commissioner's office of any complaints against travel agents.

Travel agents must maintain proper records and ensure they are not operating with incomplete documentation. Strict action will be taken against unauthorised agents.

Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Praveen Sinha told India Today, "The paperwork of travel agents is being thoroughly checked across Punjab, and awareness is being spread to ensure that people do not attempt to migrate illegally, encouraging them to follow the proper legal procedures”.

Punjab has a unique system with the state Travel Professions Regulation Act that regulates travel agents, ticketing and consultancy businesses, as per the report.