‘Visa-based data’ needed on foreigners visiting India: Ahir

NEW DELHI: India should have a “visa-based data” reservoir of foreign nationals visiting the country to effectively check cases of overstaying, union minister of state for home Hansraj Gangaram Ahir said today.

While speaking at the 70th Raising Day Parade of Delhi Police held in northwest Delhi’s New Police Lines, Ahir stressed on creating a database of foreign nationals visiting India since many a time, they overstay their visa.

“It is the need of the hour to work on creating this data to safeguard our country,” he said while referring to the recent arrest of a Nigerian by the Narcotics Control Bureau for allegedly smuggling cocaine by ingesting it.

The minister also said that the 85,000-strong Delhi Police is under tremendous pressure since it guards the national capital that houses the Parliament and various ministries. (AGENCIES)