Italian visa office to come up in Chandigarh

Chandigarh, Aug 11 (UNI) Italy may shortly open its visa office in Chandigarh to cater to the growing demand of Punjabis migrating to that country for employment.

An indication to this effect was given by Italian Ambassador Antonio Armellini during his hour-long meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here today.

Mr Antonio was responding to a request in this regard from Mr Badal.

The office may initially be of the level of an Honorary Consulate and may be opened as soon as the Government of India gives its clearance, an official spokesman said.

Talking to the Chief Minister, Mr Antonio also said the doors of his country were open for skilled Punjabi manpower, especially in the field of Agriculture, Agro-Processing, Machine tools and Horticulture.

Mr Badal also sought Italian cooperation from Mr Antonio in the field of education, particularly at the school level.

Mr Antonio said that many Italian universities and Institutions had Indian affiliates but unfortunately there were non so far from Punjab.

He said Italy was willing to cooperate with India and the state government to facilitate tie-ups between educational institutions in Punjab and Italy. This would also open up avenues for Punjabi students in other parts of the Europe.

Both Mr Badal and Mr Antonio agreed on the need for putting in place legal procedure to ensure that the Punjabi youth were not exploited by unscrupulous agents at home and greedy employers abroad.

Mr Badal said his government was in the process of bringing about legislation to regulate the functioning of travel Agents in Punjab .

The visiting Ambassador said his country had a special stake in Punjab as more than 80 per cent of the Indians migrating to Italy came from this state.

Mr Antonio also extended an invitation to Mr Badal to visit Italy which the Chief Minister accepted.

UNI