Lok Sabha Question No. 4147 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-29
Subject: Immigration Facility at Ports
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: N.K. Premachandran

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4147

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 29 TH  MARCH, 2022/ CHAITRA 8, 1944 (SAKA)

IMMIGRATION FACILITY AT PORTS

4147.     SHRI N.K. PREMACHANDRAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  promote  immigration  facility  at the ports to ensure the use of ports for contractual operation and utilizing their existing facilities;
- (b) if so, the action taken for providing immigration facility in the Kollam Port along with the details regarding the basic amenities and infrastructure required for functioning of immigration office in Kollam Port;
- (c)  whether  the  Union  Government  has  issued  proper  instruction  to  the State  Government  of  Kerala  for  making  arrangement  for  development  of infrastructure  and  electronic  facility  for  opening  immigration  facility  in Kollam Port;
- (d) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Union Government and the communication sent to the State Government in this regard; and

(e)  whether  the  State  Government  of  Kerala  has  complied  with  the direction of the Union Government and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a): Yes,  Government  of  India  considers  immigration  facilities  at  those ports which fulfill the requirement of becoming Immigration Check Post as per the norms.

(b) to (d): So far as declaration of Kollam Port as authorized Immigration Check  Post  (ICP)  is  concerned,  Central  Government  vide  letter  dated 04.07.2019 and  subsequent  reminders  dated 06.09.2019, 23.10.2020, 16.02.2021, 08.04.2021, 13.08.2021, 08.12.2021 and 15.02.2022 has requested State Govt. of Kerala to provide required physical infrastructure and  manpower  to  carry  out  immigration  functions.  Once  the  required physical infrastructure and manpower are arranged by the State Govt. of Kerala, further action will be taken in this regard. Tentative requirement of the manpower and physical infrastructure is at Annexure-I.

(e): Response is awaited from the State Govt. of Kerala.

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- a) Manpower to be provided
- i) 2 Inspector as overall In-charge.
3. ii) 8 SIs for counter duties.
4. iii) 4 constables to assist counter officers in making queue, filling D/E Cards etc Total staff = 14
- b) Space/Infrastructure
- i) The  number  of  counters  would  be  4  in  arrival  and  4  in  departure.  Number  of counters  would increase proportionately depending  on  operating of higher capacity cruise/ship.
7. ii) Server and Computer Staff Room of size 12' x 10'.
8. iii) Refusal/Detention Room with attached toilet of size 15'x12'.
9. iv) Incharge Immigration Office of size 15'x12'.
- v) For Immigration Office for backroom operation of size 20'x15'.
11. vi) Multi-Purpose Room for training/rest/meeting etc. of size 15'x15'.
12. vii) Record Room of size 10'x10'.
13. viii) UPS Room of size 5'x8'.
14. ix) Adequate Space for queuing up of passengers in front of Immigration Counters.
- x) Toilet facility for passengers in Immigration area in arrival.
16. xi) Furniture  and  other  fittings  for  the  above  offices  to  be  provided  by  the  Airport Operator maintaining ambience.
17. xii) Uninterrupted power supply to the server room, from server room to counters and In-charge immigration office.
18. xiii) Intercom facility in In-charge office back room office, server room etc.
- c) Requirement of Residential Accommodation.

It is mentioned that most of the Immigration staff posted at Seaports have to reside at their  own  arrangements  in  the  City/Town  area  as  no  Government  accommodation  is available to BOl. Further, they are required to commute to/from Seaport travelling for more than  an  hour  (one  side).  Since,  they  reside  in  different  localities,  organizing  a  common transport for  pick and drop facility  also  become difficult and time  consuming.  Moreover, they  have  to  perform  night  duties  also,  which  makes  their  commuting  more  difficult. Hence,  it would be mandatory  for the Seaport Authorities to provide residential accommodation at a central/common location to BOI (equal to 50% of the staff sanctioned in BOl) either by constructing the same or taking accommodation on lease.

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