US govt finally grants visa to Dr Prakash Amte

Nagpur, May 14 (UNI) The United States government has finally cleared visa to veteran social worker Dr Prakash Amte after much debate on the issue.

Dr Amte, son of social activist Baba Amte, is scheduled to visit Seattle, US on June 13 to attend the biennial convention of Bruhan Maharashtra Mandal of North America.

Officials at the US consulate were reluctant to issue visa to him, citing his 'poor income' as the reason, reports said.

Dr Amte and his wife were to be the Chief guests at the biennial convention.

When contacted, Dr Amte told UNI that the US consulate had finally cleared his visa and has instructed him to submit his passport to the visa office. I got a call from the consulate's Mumbai office when I was returning to Nagpur. I am not aware of other details as I was travelling then,'' he said.

Officials at the US consulate, while confirming the news, added that the process of issuing visas to Dr Amte has already been initiated.

Dr Amte has been working tirelessly for tribals of Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra for the last 33 years and among leprosy patients and the disabled.

UNI