Punjab to make registration of travel agents compulsory

Human trafficking is big business in Punjab. As many as 30,000 youths from the state are currently languishing in jails abroad for travelling on forged documents, or for overstaying their visas. But this has not dampened their spirit. They pay between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 25 lakh to emigrate, generating a business of Rs 12,000 crore a year for travel agents.

Although a number of cases have been slapped against these agents, the Punjab Police have been unable to restrict their activities in the state. In 2005, the police registered 594 cases against travel agents, a number that rose to 751 in 2006. This year too, it has already booked more than 400 agents for duping people.

As per the proposed Act, every travel agency will have to obtain a licence from the Home Department by furnishing a guarantee of Rs 25 lakh. But to be eligible for this, they must have a minimum of five years experience in the field of tourism and sufficient knowledge of immigration rules.

The agency will also require to be accredited with the International Air Transport Association IATA besides having a minimum office space of 250 sq feet and qualified staff. The agency should have a website that is updated every week and a regular auditing of accounts is a must.

Cheating a client could incur a prison term of a minimum five years and a fine of Rs 25,000 and maximum 10 years with a fine of Rs 50,000. The property dealer also stands to lose his property if convicted by the court under the Act.