Indian visa
I went to apply for Indian visa in the Indian Embassy at Dhaka. It was a unique experience. The applicants' line for visa extended from the embassy gate of Road.137, Gulshan to the end of shooting club and beyond. Thousands of people thronged for visa. I interviewed a few. Most of them were young people in the thirties and from normal middle class background. At first they lined up at the bridge-head near 'Arong' outlet in Gulshan -Tejgaon link Road from the previous day evening. After midnight police allowed them to 'run' and again line up near the shooting club. During this procedure the 'dalals' or brokers reigned supreme .They occupied most of the front positions. The visa section opens from 8:00am and they accept applications till 12:00. Brokers sold the places later on. The asking rate varies from one thousand to two hundred taka depending on the place and time of sale. Police is also a party to this business. The brokers, guards and police work in tandem in sale of places. There are three lines- for women, 'specials' and hapless 'men'. Preference is given to the women and 'special' applicants. Every day at least a few hundred 'men' return without being successful. As demand is more than the supply some 'corruption' is bound to happen. A solution needs to be found.
We would put forward the following suggestions for improvement of the situation and for alleviating sufferings of the visa seekers.
1. The Indian Embassy can view the visa granting activities as a financially gainful affair.
2. Previously,agents were allowed to file for and collect visa. This system has been discontinued. It may be reintroduced.
3. They may impose a visa fee for first track applicants, apart from the service charge of State Bank of India.
4. Applications may be received up to 2:00pm.
5. Application receiving manpower and the number of counters may be increased.
6. Many countries stamp visa on arrival. If we analyse the nature of visa seekers they are mostly students, traders, tourist, business people etc. We understand that India has to take precautions against evil doers. We assume that no 'bad' elements, if any, will travel through regular routes. They can sneak through the porous border. So, 15 days' visit/ tourist visa may be granted on arrival. Peoples' sufferings will be lessened. Visa on arrival will boost up tourism, trade etc. and India will gain more financially.
We draw the attention of the Indian Embassy in Dhaka to the above matter and request them to consider the suggestions and mitigate peoples' sufferings.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel.
Comments