Outsourcing of visa services in London too on cards

New Delhi, Mar 9 (UNI) After outsourcing some of the services related to visa issuance in Dhaka, the Government today said it was considering a proposal for outsourcing these services in London, but the project will be implemented as a pilot programme, which if successful will be replicated elsewhere.

However, no agency has so far been identified for this purpose, Minister of State for External Affairs E Ahmed told the Rajya Sabha today during the Question Hour.

The Minister said all necessary precaution, especially from security point of view, were taken before taking a decision on outsourcing of services in Dhaka. The responsibility of checking the blacklist, printing, pasting and signing of visa stickers continues to rest with the High Commission of India.

The consular services outsourced in Dhaka will be performed by the State Bank of India, he said.

Replying to a supplementary, he said the government was aware of the long queue and other problems being faced by people in getting visa in Pakistan, but the Indian consulate alone cannot do anthing to improve the situation.'' These things are reciprocal. We need the local Government's assistance and permission too.'' he added.

To another question on the proposed scheme for visa on arrival for tourists, the Minister said the proposal needed deep examination as there were so many security aspects to it.

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