Question : FRAUDULENT AGENTS

(a) whether the Union Government proposes to call for details from all the State Governments regarding frauds committed by fraudulent agents or licenced recruiting agents by promising the innocent people of lucrative jobs in foreign countries in order to assess the gravity of the problem;

(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(c) whether a large number of cases involving fraud/cheating of innocent people were referred to the State Governments for action;

(d) if so, the details of such cases referred to State Governments during the last three years and the current year, State-wise, year-wise; and

(e) the guidelines in place to keep an eye on cases referred to the State Governments?

MINISTER OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)

(a) to (c): Cases against Registered Recruiting Agents fall under the jurisdiction of Protector; General of Emigrants (PGE) under the Emigration Act, 1983. Requisite action is taken against them by the PGE as per the provisions of the Statute (details given in Annexure-I).

With regard to complaints against unregistered agents, cases are referred to the Law and Order enforcing agencies of the States concerned.

(d): Most of the cases against unregistered agents received by the Government of India are from the emigrant or Intending emigrant or their relatives. Some complaints of diverse nature are received in Indian Missions which relate to contractual violations such as non-payment or delay in payment of salary/wages and other benefits, refusal of leave or exit/re-entry permits for visits to India, refusal to send the worker back home on final exit visa, non-issue or non-renewal of residence permit, illegal deductions from the salary/ wages or the salary or job not given as per the contract, maltreatment, harassment etc. The details of such cases are at Annexure-I.

(e): Cases which are referred to State Governments for action, are sent with a request for inquiry and report. Under Section 27 of the Emigration Act, 1983 prior sanction for prosecution is required in certain cases, which is also issued by the Protector General of Emigrants against the offenders.