(a) whether the Government is aware of increase in the number of fake visas issued in the country for foreign countries;
(b) whether any complaints have been received by the Government in this regard during the last two years;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) the steps taken by the Government to prevent such incidents in future?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS
(SHRI HANSRAJ GANGARAM AHIR)
(a) to (c) : Some instances of forged visas of foreign countries have been noticed at various Immigration Check Posts. The number of forged visas detected during the last two years at the ICPs controlled by the BoI is as follows :-
Calendar Year 2016- 116
Calendar Year 2017- 141
(d) Immigration officers have been provided with the specimen copies of the travel documents of different countries for comparison to ascertain the genuineness of the travel documents. Further Ultra Violet lamps, magnifying glasses and Passport Reading Machines have also been provided to the Immigration Officers for detection of forgeries. The passport data of Indians (PRIDE) maintained by the Ministry of External Affairs is made available to the counter officers to ascertain the genuineness of Indian passports. Detection of forgeries in travel documents is also a part of one month pre-induction training curriculum of the Immigration Officers.
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