KOCHI: As the influx of migrant labourers continues at an alarming rate in Kerala, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has warned of illegal Bangladeshi migrants obtaining Aadhaar cards by submitting fake documents.
The MHA recently directed the state to track down illegal migrants who have wrongfully obtained Aadhaar cards from the UIDAI. Besides, a communique was also sent to the state for implementing the revised procedures for detection and deportation of these illegal migrants.
The Centre has initiated various measures to track down illegal migrants after analysing the gravity of the situation arising out of illegal migrants from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Afghanistan entering the country. As per a submission in Parliament by Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Kiren Rijiju, the MHA had issued a set of instructions to all states on February 28, 2018, advising them to sensitise the law enforcement and intelligence agencies on taking appropriate steps for prompt identification of illegal migrants, restricting them to specified locations as per the provisions of law, capturing their biographical and biometric particulars, cancellation of fake Indian documents and initiating legal proceedings for deportation.
State police chief Loknath Behera said the police have received fresh norms on tracking down illegal migrants.
Two days after some self-financing medical college (SFMC) managements approach the High Court against the fixation of fees by the Fee Regulatory Committee for Professional Colleges, Opposition leader Ramesh Chennithala wrote to the government to take a strong stance against them in the court. Alleging the managements were trying to loot students, Ramesh demanded effective government intervention to address the issue.
“Last time it was the lack of timely intervention on the part of the government that lead to an uncertainty in admission to MBBS seats in SFMCs. Going by the developments so far, it has to be suspected the government might take a lenient stance towards them at the court,” he said.
At the same time, Congress leader V M Sudheeran in a statement said the government’s indecision to intervene in the issue has become a matter of concern for students and parents. “It is dubious the government did not approve the fixation of fees by the Fee Regulatory Committee for Professional Colleges. There is an unholy nexus between the government and private medical college managements in admission matters,” he alleged.
10% increase allowed
It is learned the Fee Regulatory Committee fixed the fee at `5.6 lakh after allowing an increase of 10 per cent over the previous year’s fee for future development expenditure and growth and making an increase of 5 per cent per annum towards wholesale price index. According to the managements, the committee had passed the order taking away the colleges’ basic right to fixing the fee.
SITUATION SERIOUS
■ Illegal migrants obtain Aadhaar cards by submitting fake documents
■ A communique has been sent to Kerala for implementing revised procedures for detection of such migrants
■ Necessary checks being carried out, says state
police chief Loknath Behera