Illegal recruiters and migrants to be prosecuted

New Delhi, July 10 (UNI) India will crack down against illegal emigration and illegal recruitment for overseas employment.

As part of the proactive action launched by state governments against illegal recruitment and emigration, prosecution of offenders under the Emigration Act will be regularly monitored.

This was decided at the first-ever consultation meeting between the Centre and the states that concluded here yesterday.

The state governments will explore the possibility of setting up of fast track courts for speedy disposal of cases of failed and fraudulent marriages of Indian girls with NRI grooms. They will undertake awareness campaigns to educate young girls and their parents about precautions to be exercised while considering a marriage proposal from an NRI.

It was decided that the states would establish an Overseas Workers Resource Centre (OWRC) and educate people about the pitfalls of illegal migration and the procedures and framework for legal migration. They would vigorously implement the skill upgradation programme with 100 per cent Central funding.

The meeting agreed that a nodal department would be set up in each state to deal with issues concerning overseas Indians. A database will be created in the states on the overseas Indians hailing from their territory.

Further, the states would ensure creation of 15 per cent supernumerary seats in educational institutions for the children of overseas Indians. They also agreed to associate with the Centre in augmenting cultural engagement with the Indian diaspora.

It was agreed that the states would work in partnership with the Overseas Indian Facilitation Centre (OIFC) to boost investment by Overseas Indians. The OIFC would be organising global investors' meets in different countries, where the state governments would be invited as also road shows to attract investment by overseas Indians.

Union Overseas Indian Affairs Minister Vayalar Ravi, speaking at the two-day meeting, called upon the state governments to rigorously enforce the emigration laws. Secretary in the Ministry K Mohandas underlined the need for the Centre and the states to work in tandem on the management of emigration.

Issues relating to the Indian diaspora and the migration of Indian workers for overseas employment were discussed during the consultation meeting, organised by the ministry, which was attended by 14 states and the Ministries of External Affairs and Home Affairs.

UNI SD AM KN1803