Bill for stricter laws to punish fraudulent travel agents cleared

Bill proposes 7 to 10-yr jail for agents involved in human trafficking; 2 to 7-yr prison term for those operating sans registration

- HT Correspondent

tory. The Bill proposes that a travel agent operating without registration shall attract a jail term which shall not be less than two years but which may extend to seven years and shall also be liable to pay a fine between ₹2-5 lakh.

Also, whoever attempts or is found involved in human smuggling or in the preparation of forged documents, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which shall not be less than seven years but which may extend to 10 years and shall also be liable to pay a fine between ₹2-5 lakh.

According to the Bill's provisions, fresh registration certificates will be required if travel agents open other offices and branches in the same or other districts.

Bill provided for measures to check and monitor the unlawful and fraudulent activities of travel agents and provide a mechanism to punish wrongdoers as per law.