(a) whether the Government proposes to prepare a database of foreign citizens visiting India as they usually stay longer than their visa period;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the benefits likely to be achieved as a result thereof;
(c) whether the Government has fixed any time limit in this regard;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the number of foreign tourists nabbed for drug smuggling during the last one year and the action taken against them?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)
(a) to (e) : A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
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STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (e) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. *215 FOR 2nd JANUARY, 2018 REGARDING DATABASE OF FOREIGNERS VISITING INDIA
(a) to (d) : Data pertaining to foreigners visiting India is collected during visa issuance at Missions, during immigration check at the Immigration Check Posts (ICPs) and during registration at the offices of the Foreigners Regional Registration Officers (FRROs)/ Foreigners Registration Officers (FROs) and is centrally maintained by Bureau of Immigration (BOI).
(e) : As per information available, 219 foreign nationals were arrested during 2016 under the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985 by the drug law enforcement agencies in India. The number of foreigners arrested under this Act during 2017 (upto September) is 107 (provisional). The arrested persons are prosecuted under the relevant sections of the NDPS Act, 1985.
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