(a) whether the Government has received any complaints against the agents
and middlemen exploiting the students seeking admission for studies abroad;
(b) if so, the details thereof; and
(c) the measures taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to check exploitation of the students?
MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF OVERSEAS INDIAN AFFAIRS (SHRI VAYALAR RAVI)
(a) & (b) Yes Sir. Available information is given in Annexure-I.
(c) The Ministry is in the process of finalizing a legislative proposal to replace the existing Emigration Act 1983
with a new emigration law which envisages regulation of enrolment agencies with a view to lay down standards for the
services provided by them and monitor their compliance to the standards. Students intending to go abroad for studies
would be registered before their departure.
Annexure-I referred to in reply to parts (a) & (b) of Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 1611 for answer on 15th July,2009
Australia
A complaint was recently received by the High Commission of India, Canberra from some Indian students against an
education agent, Edulinks Educational Consultancy Agent in Kochi (Kerala). The students had alleged that the agent
made false promises to them about their stay in Australia which included work permit for four years if the students
are registered in a one-year course; two-month break between semesters to enable them to earn to help pay their fees;
assistance with part-time jobs; and eligibility for permanent residence if they worked for 900 hours. The matter is
being taken up with the Government of Kerala.
Switzerland
In April, 2008, a complaint was received from an Indian student by the Embassy of India, Berne regarding cheating of
CHF 20,200/- paid by him to Eagle College Suisse AG, Graduate and Business School, Switzerland. Another complaint was
received from five Indian students on August 20, 2008 against the Swiss Management Academy (SMA), Hotel Rheinfall,
Zentralstrasse 60, CH-8212, Neuhausen for fraud, misrepresentation and cheating. Two Indian agents were involved
in the enrollment process were : (i) M/s M.P. Trading House, 1211, Maker Chambers V, Nariman Point, Mumbai -400021;
and (ii) Ms. Jyoti Cassad, 53, LGF World Trade centre, Babar Road, Connaught Place, New Delhi-110001. The Embassy
took up the matter with concerned Swiss authority(ies). The second complaint was also forwarded to Commissioners of
Police, Mumbai and Delhi respectively for suitable action to check exploitation of Indian students.
United Kingdom
A complaint from Mr. Saravanan Chandramohan, an Indian citizen who came to the UK to study MBA in Wales in September 2008
was received by the High Commission of India, London. His sponsor, did not allow him to pursue his studies and forced him
to work illegally in his shop. With the intervention of HCI, London, the issue was resolved with the complainant returning
to India as per his wish.
United States of America
Several petitions were received by the Ministry from the students and their parents of the American School of Aviation
(ASA) at Atwater, USA which was shut down abruptly leaving around 100 Indian students stranded in 2008. The owner of
the School, Mr. Prince Singh alias Manpreet Singh, filed bankruptcy without making refunds to the students who had
paid fees of approx. US$ 40,000/- for pilot courses. In this connection, it has been informed by the Sr. Manager,
Allahabad Bank, Ludhiana that before the ASA declared their operations shut in USA, a company named ASA India Pvt.
Ltd. was got incorporated at New Delhi and the Directors of the company are parents of the owner of ASA and huge
amount of money has been transferred to this company’s account. The matter was reported to the Enforcement
Directorate for further investigations. The Consul General of India, San Francisco had taken up the case
with the concerned authorities in the USA to help the students who were stranded there.