Amid reports of fraud, Kerala panel to look into regulation for study-abroad consultants

The minister said, “The state government has formed a three-member committee to look into regulating and streamlining the functioning of such consultancies. It would also look into making legislation to regulate the sector. Further action will be taken based on the report of the committee,’’ she said.

The government would also look into whether the consultants should be given licences and unified fees should be introduced for their services.

The three-member committee would be headed by Kerala Digital University vice-chancellor Dr Saji Gopinath. Kerala Higher Education Council member Dr R K Suresh Kumar and advocate Sreeram Parakkatt would be the other members.

Last week The Indian Express reported from Jalandhar that more than 700 Indians in Canada were facing deportation after their admission offer letters, based on which they had entered the country three-four years ago on student visas, had been found to be fake. The offer letters had allegedly been forged by their agent, who facilitated their admission into other colleges after they landed in Canada.

Last month media reports from London said that five people, reportedly from Kerala, were recruiting and exploiting vulnerable Indian students working at care homes in North Wales. The Indian High Commission in London then reportedly appealed to students to contact the mission for help and counselling amid fears that over 50 Indian students may have become victims of modern slavery while working at the care homes.