Centre asks states to take steps against irregular migration

NEW DELHI: Centre today asked states to initiate awareness campaigns about migration process so that incidents of unscrupulous agents duping those wanting to go abroad for livelihood can be checked.

At a two-day consultation meeting with representatives of states, Secretary in the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs Parvez Dewan emphasised the need for carrying out the campaign to educate people about the migration process.

The states were requested to take steps to curb the menace of irregular migration, officials said.

The meeting deliberated on issues relating to migration and how best the Ministry could partner with state governments to provide necessary support in effectively addressing various matters relating to overseas Indians.

The meeting was attended by senior officials of MOIA, Ministry of External Affairs, besides representatives from Assam, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Punjab, Rajasthan, Bihar, Goa, Gujarat, Haryana, Jammu and Kashmir, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.

In the meeting, states were also apprised about setting up of the Indian Community Welfare Fund in the missions abroad.

The Fund, which was initially made available to select missions, has been extended to all Indian embassies to offer various assistance, including legal and financial help to distressed Indians.