NEW DELHI: Nearly 28% of the Pakistani nationals who were issued Indian visas under various categories between January 1, 2014 and December 31, 2015 had overstayed, the government informed the Rajya Sabha on April 5.
Of the 48,510 Pakistani nationals who overstayed during the two-year period, around 25% (12,200) had departed the country by the end of 2015. As many as 36,310 Pakistanis whose visas had expired were still in the country at the time, minister of state for home Kiren Rijiju said in reply to a starred question in the Rajya Sabha.
While India issued visas to 94,993 Pakistani nationals in 2014, the number fell to 77,543 in 2015.
As for Bangladeshis entering India on a valid visa, Rijiju informed the Elders that 6,52,919 visas were issued to them in 2014, which went up to 7,51,044 in 2015. As many as 20,870 Bangladeshi nationals overstayed during the period January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014, though 8,387 departed the country following the overstay.
Rijiju said law enforcing agencies keep vigil and intercept foreigners overstaying in the country. In genuine cases where the overstay is unintentional or due to ignorance or compelling circumstances, the period of overstay is regularized and visa extension fee charged for the overstay period. However, where the overstay is found to be intentional, the foreigner is served with Leave India notice and penalty/visa fee for the overstay period is charged as per instructions, he added. Legal action under the Foreigners Act may also be taken depending on the merits of the case.
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