Centre to take steps to stop misuse of business visa: Tharoor

Minister of State for External Affairs Shashi Tharoor said today. The Centre would take measures to stop misuse of business visas to personnel from neighbouring countries, including China, as there were some ''reports of violation.'' Interacting with members of Merchants' Chamber of Commerce (MCC) here, Mr Tharoor expressed concern over the surging number of such visas to China, over 58,000, last year, and doubted whether the holders were misusing the documents to work in India.

'' The visa issued to the Chinese people last year has gone up substantially. Business visas are intended for business visitors like setting up of business office, overseeing an ongoing project, but it is not intended to substitute an employment visa, which may be given to technically qualified persons to assist projects of Chinese companies, '' Mr Tharoor said.

'' Visas obtained for business purposes cannot be allowed for getting employment. If unskilled workers are coming with these visas, they are taking the jobs of Indian unskilled workers, '' he said, adding semi-skilled and unskilled workers, if needed, should come to the country through proper visa channel.

Referring to issuance of passports, Mr Tharoor informed that a pilot project would start in Chandigarh and Bangalore next year to make the system smooth.

'' Subject to success of it, 77 Passport Seva Kendras (PSK) will be set up across the country, '' he maintained.

-- (UNI) -- 31CA54.xml

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