By TIOL News Service

NEW DELHI, JULY 25, 2014: ANY recruitment of Indian nationals for employment abroad without Registration Certificate under Section 10 or Permit under Section 16 of the Emigration Act, 1983 is an offence punishable under Section 24 of the Emigration Act, 1983. Complaints against such illegal agents indulging in fraudulent recruitment can be directly lodged with the State law enforcing authorities. Whenever such complaints are received in this Ministry, they are referred to the concerned State Governments for investigation and action in accordance with the provisions of the law of this land as appropriate.

After investigation, if required, the investigating authority seeks approval from this Ministry for prosecution in the appropriate court of law under Section 27 of the Emigration Act, 1983. (Sanction not required in case the complaint is directly made by the emigrant or intending emigrant, or on behalf of such emigrant or intending emigrant, by the father, mother, husband, wife, son, daughter, brother, sister or guardian of such emigrant or intending emigrant, or if such Emigrant or intending emigrant is a member of a joint Hindu family, by the manager of that family). Request for such prosecution sanctions are processed and sanctions are issued on priority basis.

During the last 3 years, 751 complaints against such illegal agents were received in this Ministry. All these cases had been referred to the State Government authorities concerned for investigation. Prosecution sanction had been sought in 30 cases, and sanction given in all cases.

This information was given by Minister of State Overseas Indian Affairs and External Affairs, General Retd. V.K. Singh, in Rajya Sabha yesterday.