92% of Punjab’s Travel Agents Operating Illegally, Central Government Report Reveals. According to a report released by the Ministry of External Affairs, travel agency operations are widely illegal in the state of Punjab. Out of 212 valid licenses in the state, a shocking 92% of the travel agents operate illegally while just 8% follow central government guidelines.
Even among the 212 licensed agents, nearly 65 have expired licenses, which have already been canceled by the central government. Moreover, eight districts in Punjab—Sri Muktsar Sahib, Tarn Taran, Faridkot, Pathankot, Ferozepur, Malerkotla, Fazilka, and Mansa—do not have a single registered travel agent. However, illegal travel agencies continue to operate on a large scale across all districts.
Action Planned Against 2,730 Fake Agents in 8 Districts
The central government is gearing up to take strict action against the fraudulent travel agents in Punjab, Gujarat, Chandigarh, and Delhi. Punjab alone has 2,730 unregistered agents scattered across eight districts. Central investigative agencies are set to take severe action against them. According to media reports, further action is to be taken from the case files of 104 Indians deported back from the United States.
Jalandhar Tops the List in Licensed Travel Agents
Jalandhar has the highest number of licensed travel agents in Punjab, as per the report. The district has 86 registered agents, while 16 licenses have expired and are awaiting renewal, four have been canceled.
Mohali trails with 31 registered agents while Hoshiarpur has 22 and Ludhiana has 20 registered agents. All other districts are much lower on the list. Fatehgarh Sahib has one with a suspended license, Sangrur has two with one canceled, Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar has three with one expired, Moga has two with one canceled, Kapurthala has three, Patiala has one, and Bathinda has two registered agents with their licenses expired.
Such alarming figures are going to compel the central government to step up its against those operating the illegal travel agencies across Punjab.
