CBI for change in emigration policy

New Delhi
Sept. 1: The CBI in a note to the Centre has requested to bring drastic changes in policy, including “removal of agent system” for issuing emigration clearances, to curb “organised corruption” in the Protectorate of Emigrants offices in the country.
India’s premier investigating agency, which is investing several corruption cases of the POE offices, has come to the conclusion that a “full-fledged” industry of forging travel documents to get emigration clearances is thriving in the country. The agency has recently sent a note to the Centre suggesting major changes in the existing system of issuing emigration clearances.
The note, which in possession of this newspaper, says, “Travel agents and other racketeers have created an industry of forging travel documents in connivance with the POE officials. Officials of the Protectorate of Emigrants are well aware with the fact, who demand bribes for issuing emigration clearances on the basis of such forged documents. Innocent labourers seeking employment abroad are left with no option but to indulge in criminal act of submitting forged documents.”
The note further says, “Most of the applicants in POE offices are labourers seeking employment in Gulf countries, Saudi Arabia and other West Asian countries. According to the existing policy, certain documents from the prospective employer are a must for emigration clearance. The purpose is to make sure that the emigrant labourer is not cheated by recruitment agencies by ensuring documentation from the employer.” Contrary to that, hardly any employer in Saudi Arabia, Gulf or other countries in West Asia ever give such documents, says the note.
“Recently, more than 100 fake stamps were recovered when the CBI started investigation in connection with a corruption case in Chennai POE office. Similar evidence of large scale forgery industry is seen in cases registered in Hyderabad, Chandigarh and Thiruvananthapuram”, said the note, adding that the system of involving middlemen or agents should be removed. Some of the POE offices in the country issue at least 300 emigration clearances everyday on the basis of forged documents and the bribe money involved ranges to the tune of Rs 3 lakhs approximately everyday, says the note.
According to the note, “hawala” channels are used to send the bribe amount to the native places of the POE officials.