Emigration Act changes may be left to next Govt

The Overseas Indian Affairs Ministrys plan to take the ordinance route at the fag-end of the UPA Governments tenure to amend the Emigration Act...

The Overseas Indian Affairs Ministrys plan to take the ordinance route at the fag-end of the UPA Governments tenure to amend the Emigration Act,1983,putting in place stringent punishment for human smuggling and provisions to regulate recruiting agencies more effectively,has suffered a setback.

The ministry has aborted the plan after it was conveyed to it that the Governments policy was to take recourse to ordinance only in emergency situations. With just three months left for elections,it has become almost clear that the ministrys long-drawn plan to give more teeth to the Act are not likely to come through in this Governments tenure.

The Overseas Indian Ministry has been working for years to amend the Act in order to protect the interests of emigrant workers and prohibit illegal emigration which often leads to deportation . A Bill to this effect was introduced in Parliament in 2004 which subsequently lapsed.

In the draft ordinance,the ministry had proposed enhancement of punishment for those violating the Act. While the period of imprisonment was to go up from the existing two years to

five years,the fine was to be revised to Rs 1 lakh instead of the present Rs 2,000,sources said.

It had also proposed blacklisting of recruiting agencies which are found indulging in human smuggling,a new offence to be included in the Act,and cheating. Besides,it had planned to strengthen the criterion for registration of recruitment agencies,including increase in the deposit fee from the existing Rs 1 lakh to Rs 10 lakh and introducing educational qualification as a prerequisite.

Besides,a rating system for recruitment agencies to encourage good practices in the industry and eliminate the wrong-doers was also incorporated. In this regard,the ministry was to design a system of incentives and disincentives around the rating system which will be

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based on well-defined performance parameters relating to quality of service and statutory compliance.

Another provision was to enable the Government to take measures to safeguard the interests of emigrants with more specified roles for Indian missions abroad. The idea was to bring in a legal provision enabling the Government to take measures for protection and welfare of emigrants.

Manoj C.G

Manoj C G currently serves as the Chief of National Political Bureau at The Indian Express. A veteran journalist with a career spanning nearly two decades, he plays a pivotal role in shaping the publication's coverage of India's political landscape. Experience & Career: Manoj has built a robust career in political journalism, marked by a transition from wire service reporting to in-depth newspaper analysis. The Indian Express (2008 – Present): He joined the organization in 2008 and has risen to lead the National Political Bureau, overseeing key political coverage. Press Trust of India (PTI): Prior to his tenure at The Indian Express, Manoj worked with India’s premier news agency, PTI, honing his skills in breaking news and accurate reporting. Expertise & Focus Areas: As a seasoned political observer, Manoj focuses on the nuances of governance and party dynamics. National Politics: extensive reporting on the central government, parliamentary affairs, and national elections. Political Strategy: Deep analysis of party structures, coalition politics, and the shifting ideologies within the Indian political spectrum. Bureau Leadership: directing a team of reporters to cover the most critical developments in the nation's capital. Authoritativeness & Trust: Manoj’s authoritativeness is grounded in his nearly 20 years of field experience and his leadership role at a legacy newspaper. His long-standing association with The Indian Express underscores a reputation for consistency, editorial integrity, and rigorous reporting standards required of a Bureau Chief. Find all stories by Manoj C G here. ... Read More