CBI probe sought into working of Emigration office

By Our Staff Reporter

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM, JULY 11. The Recruiting Agents Association of Kerala and the Kerala Association of Travel Agents have sought a comprehensive CBI inquiry into the working of the Emigration office in the State capital and the functioning of the Protector of Emigrants (POE).

The president of recruiting agents association, Mr. K. Ravindran, and the general secretary of the travel agents association, Mr. Chanankara M.P. Kunju, told presspersons here today that the licence of some recruiting agents who had alleged corruption and anti-national activities in the Emigration office had been suspended and retaliatory steps had been taken against them.

Pointing out that the POE had adopted a partisan attitude to the recruiting agents, they alleged that those arriving with all documents for emigration clearance were being harassed. "The stand that the applicants should give a huge amount for clearance after the officer took charge has worsened the situation," they said.

The association leaders said the number of emigration clearances had come down from 300 to 50 a day as the POE denies clearance citing minor loopholes. This has forced many to proceed to Kochi and Chennai for seeking the mandatory clearance.

Mr. Kunju said emigration clearance was being issued for women possessing house maid visas to work in Kuwait and Oman after accepting huge sums of money. The association leaders alleged that emigration clearance was issued for a fictitious Malaysian company's 40 "employment group visas" from the office in the State capital after accepting huge amounts as bribe.

The fictitious company is a smokescreen to help some organisations such as the LTTE, they said adding that the clearance had been issued without any documents. All details would be available if the emigration documents at Chennai airport was examined as they have proceeded via Chennai.

The association leaders have demanded the intervention of the Union Labour and Home Ministers for a CBI probe into the emigration clearance.

If the present situation at the Emigration office continues, they said it will cause hardship to hundreds of people going to the Gulf in search of employment and jeopardize the country's security.

The association leaders said the Chief Minister, Mr. A.K. Antony, should intervene immediately to put pressure on the Centre to order a CBI probe and to ensure the smooth functioning of the Emigration office. They also demanded that the emigration rules should be relaxed to help the people.

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Section  : Southern States
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