By IANS
Chandigarh : Italy is likely to open a visa office in Chandigarh to cater to the growing demand of Punjabi youths migrating to that country.
An indication to this effect was given by Italian Ambassador Antonio Armellini during his meeting with Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal here Saturday.
The indication came in response to a request made by Badal. The ambassador said that the visa office, with the status of an honorary consulate, could be opened as soon as the government of India gave its clearance.
If the move comes through, Italy will be the fourth country to have a visa facility in Chandigarh. While Canada has a full-fledged consulate here, the United States and Britain have their visa collection centres.
Thousands of people migrate from Punjab to the western countries annually – especially to the United States, Canada, Britain and European countries. The Doaba belt – land between Sutlej and Beas rivers comprising districts of Jalandhar, Hoshiarpur, Kapurthala and Nawanshahr – is known for its non-resident Indian (NRI) population.
Ambassador Armellini said that over 80 percent of all Indians migrating to Italy were from Punjab. He said that most of the Punjabis were doing well in Italy.
Badal and the ambassador agreed that a legal procedure should be put in place to ensure that genuine migrants go to Italy for employment purposes and innocent youths are not exploited by unscrupulous travel agents.
The ambassador pointed out that those who had illegally migrated to Italy were facing hardships there. He added that such a situation was avoidable for the migrants and the host country.
Badal said that a law was being prepared in Punjab to regulate the functioning of travel agents.