NEW DELHI: A data bank carrying finger prints of all foreigners coming to India on e-tourist visa is being set up by the Home Ministry to help thwart entry of terrorists and criminals from abroad.
Immigration officials have started collecting finger prints of those coming on electronic or e-tourist visa and creating an Unique Case File (UCF) of all visitors, official sources said today.
Over 10 lakh UCF having all relevant information about the flyers including their finger prints are part of the database now, they said.
The move comes amidst hightened threat from terror groups, including the IS.
All those coming to India on e-tourist visa have to mandatorily get their finger prints scanned with authorities here.
The Home Ministry has decided to press ahead with the drive despite External Affairs Ministry recently expressing its reservations over the mandatory requirement of finger print scanning of the foreigners, saying it may discourage tourists form visiting India, the sources said. (AGENCIES)
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