Zero tolerance against visa brokers: Saran
Indian visa centres in Barisal, Rangpur, Mymensingh open
Independent Desk
Indian High Commissioner to Bangladesh Pankaj Saran yesterday said there would be zero tolerance against the role of visa brokers. While delivering his speech in the inaugural ceremony of Indian Visa Application Centre in Barisal on Sunday noon, Pankaj Saran also called upon the visa applicants to take help of the local law enforcing agency members to curb the activities of the visa brokers. The Indian visa application centre will be managed by State Bank of India.
He also opened same centers in Rangpur and Mymensingh from Barisal through video-conferencing at the same time. The three centers will start functioning today (Monday).
The number of Indian visa application centres in Bangladesh has been increased to 10 and it would be increased more, the Indian High Commissioner added.
Begum Jebunnesa Afroj MP, Advocate Talukdar Md. Yunus MP, Barisal divisional commissioner Md Gaus, president of Barisal Chamber of Commerce and Industries Saidur Rahman Rintu and country head of Bangladesh (Operations) of State Bank of India Pinak Chakraborty addressed the function.
Answering questions of journalists, the Indian High Commissioner also said that the import of cows from India to Bangladesh depends on the bilateral trade rules and regulations.
Speakers at the function thanking the Indian high Commission for opening visa centers in their region recalled the historical relationship between the two countries since the emergence of Bangladesh.
They called upon the Indian officials to make visa application centers free from hassle, harassment and brokers and upgrade those centres in the near future by giving authority to issue visas to the applicants at the application centers.
Indian High Commissioner assured to give speedy and quality services for visa applicants through the centres.
The High Commissioner quoting the speech of the Indian Prime Minister during Dhaka visit said relation between the two countries was not following anyone, but going side by side always.
Mentionable, the Indian Visa Application Centre in Barisal was opened on the first floor of North City Super Market on Amrita Lal Dey Road of the city for receiving applications from the residents of six districts of Barisal division.
The Indian Visa Application Centre in Mymensingh was opened on the first floor of 297/1, Masakanda Bus Stand in the town. The centre will receive applications from the residents of Mymensingh, Tangail, Jamalpur, Sherpur, Kishoreganj and Netrakona districts. The Indian Visa Application Centre in Rangpur was opened at JB Sen Road, opposite Ram Krishna Mission, Mahiganj. The centre will serve the applicants from the districts under Rangpur division.
After inaugurating the visa centre at Mahiganj through video conference, the Indian High Commissioner exchanged views with city Mayor Sharfuddin Ahamed Jhantu and others.
