The recent statistics of illegal travel agencies operating in Punjab are shocking. According to recent government reports more than half percentage of the travel agencies that are running in Punjab do not have proper licenses.
The Ministry of External Affairs report states that only 212 travel agencies in the state possess valid licenses among which 65 have expired. Hence about 92% of travel agencies in the state are operated illegally according to the latest statistics from the government
The report highlights that many districts in Punjab have no registered travel agents under the Central Government’s guidelines. Despite immigration offices being operational in eight districts, none of the agents in these areas possess a valid license.
The districts identified are Sri Muktsar Sahib, Tarn Taran, Faridkot, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Malerkotla, Fazilka, and Mansa. This indicates that Punjab has a high amount of illegal travel agencies operating on a larger scale and strict actions have to be taken against it.
Strict Actions To Be Taken
The central government is gearing up to take strict actions against the agents who are operating illegally in Punjab, Gujarat, Chandigarh, and Delhi. Punjab alone has about 2,730 agencies that have unauthorized licenses and are operating illegally. The Central investigative agencies are set to take strict actions against these agencies. According to media reports, further action is to be taken from the case files of 104 Indians deported back from the United States.
Licensed Travel Agents
Though according to the report Punjab has a high amount of illegal travel agencies operating in the state the state also has licensed travel agencies in certain cities. Jalandhar secures the first place on the list. The district has 86 registered agents, while 16 licenses have expired and are awaiting renewal, four have been canceled.
Mohali trails with 31 registered agents while Hoshiarpur has 22 and Ludhiana has 20 registered agents. All other districts are much lower on the list. Fatehgarh Sahib has one with a suspended license, Sangrur has two with one canceled, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar has three with one expired, Moga has two with one canceled, Kapurthala has three, Patiala has one, and Bathinda has two registered agents with their licenses expired.
Punjab Youths Are Easy Targets
A large number of youths in Punjab are falling prey to illegally operating travel agencies, and hence the Ministry of External Affairs has collaborated with the state government to put an end to these illegally operated travel agencies. According to the report released in the e-migrate portal of the government in October 2024, 3094 illegal agents were identified including those from Punjab.
Punjab faces a greater challenge of unemployment among the educated youth. The lack of employment opportunities in the state makes them look at other options abroad to get a job and have a settled life. This vulnerable situation of the youths makes them fall prey to illegal agents who manipulate them into the prospects of a better job in the US, UK, and Canada but cheat them for the money and leave them stranded. The central and the state governments together are taking various steps to create awareness among the people
Campaigns For Awareness
Awareness campaigns are conducted nationwide including in Punjab, focusing on safe and legal migration practices. These initiatives include workshops, training programs, information sessions, and digital media campaigns targeted at media groups, law enforcement agencies, local administrations, and the general public.
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With a passion for news writing and a deep interest in Journalism, Bowrna wants to write articles that create an impact. Not only writing, she also has a passion for voiceovers and also aspires to become a Radio Jockey in the future. When not writing, she likes to listen to songs and dance to her heart's content. She is proficient in English, Tamil and Hindi.
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