The ‘Association of Professional Immigration and Education Consultants of India’ holds an open session with all leading Immigration & Education Consultants and Travel agents at PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry on 18th December, 2010 evening. There were about 230 consultants participated in the open house and updated their views and suggestions on ‘Prevention of Punjab Human Smuggling Bill 2010’. WWICS, CanAsia, Canam, Pathfinders, SWICS, Angad, Auscan, Oceanic etc are few leading immigration consultants who took the participation in this event. It is all set to implement the bill in the state of Punjab on Public interest and to safe guard students and immigrants from the crocked consultants in the State. It is admitted by all the members that due to the role of the ‘brief case agents’ and fly-by-night operators the industry has been facing a real difficult time.
The Chairman of APIEC Rupinder Bhatt welcomed the members and briefed them about the new immigration act. After that the house has opened for the suggestions and implementations. Though all members attended appreciate the decision of the Government, the implementation problems also discussed. Most consultants raises an objection that it may not have any impact on the brief case agents and fly-by-night operators and they never follow the immigration act and as usually this also may be taken very lightly by them. Most members suggest to have a self regulatory body to assist the government and police in controlling the crime in this field. It is also fact that due to unethical practical by the fraudulent consultants, the genuine operators have been facing difficulties in their operations. The house suggest for the proper training, certification and ethical implementation for all the consultants. As practiced in the other trades, immigration consultants also need have their training institution, qualifications and authorizations. The members have compared the Central Government act with Punjab Government Act. The house also looks into the possibilities of increasing corruption at the lower level officials. Practically approvals for the seminars and advertisements may not be an easy task to implement. The house requests to have a team of experts from the industry to support the implementation of the act and to solve the problems arising. APIEC announces its voluntary help to the Punjab Government in implementation of this act and protect the consumers from fraudulent activities. The house decides to have a committee of experts and send their representation to the Punjab Government and to help them in smooth implementation of this act. The members have agreed that if the act is implemented properly then it may crack down on the crooked consultants and may safeguard the industry.
APIEC announces its interest in meeting other similar organizations and take their support for this cause. The association opens its membership too on this account and welcomes the new and upcoming consultants to be a part of the association.