Days after softening the “stringent” rules to rein in the illegal trade practices of the travel agents, the Punjab Government, once again, on Tuesday extended the deadline for their registration by January 31.
The extension was not given for the first time. Initially fixed as October, the State Government has later decided to extend the deadline to complete the process of registration by November 30, followed by extension of another month, and now by January 31. The extension was given in the wake of demands of the travel agents associations during their meeting with the State government on January 9. “Punjab Government has extended the date of registration for travel agents by January 31 under the Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act. Earlier, the date was December 31,” said Principal Secretary (Home) DS Bains.
He said that the directions have been issued to the Deputy Commissioners to keep a tab on the illegal activities of many unscrupulous travel agents working unregistered, exploiting many innocent people of the state. “To prevent these ongoing mal-practices, the Government has passed the Punjab Prevention of Human Smuggling Act with a view to check and curb their illegal or fraudulent activities and malpractices. Under the Act, travel agents, emigration consultants or ticketing agents have got to be registered,” he said.
Bains added that the Act and Rules framed have been uploaded on the official website — www.punjabgovt.gov.in. He also asked the DCs to ensure that each license would have to bear a unique number to be quoted by the licensees. The State Government recently had accepted almost all demands put forth by the travel agents and decided to change the name of Prevention of Human Smuggling Act to Travel Industries Regulation Act.