New Delhi: International air passengers, who often allege harassment at the hands of the Customs official and airlines, are facing new ‘hurdles’ at the IGI Airport.
Random Referral (RR) – a procedure introduced by the authorities concerned to check ‘doubtful’ passengers – has become a cause for worry for many.
Passengers who fly to foreign countries have accused officials of the Customs department and several airlines of “extorting money by forcing them to go through the procedure”.
Several Passengers allege that the Customs examined them randomly without giving any valid reason. They say the “humiliating” procedure has often delayed their flights.
The “non-transparent” procedure, the IGIA sources told Mail Today, has become a way to extort money from passengers.
The sources said the officials of Customs and airlines are hand-in-glove with each other and “looted” money from the passengers, who await a clean chit from the Customs, to settle the deal.
“The whole procedure of RR has become a tool to harass international passengers. Even after the initial round of clearance, the Customs department shortlists a few passengers randomly for RR and asks airlines officials to escort them till its office.
Airlines staffers have no answers when passengers ask them why they should escort them,” said a senior official of an international airline, who is opposed to this practice, pleading anonymity.
09/03/15 Mail Today/Ila Choudhary/The Sen Times
Random Referral (RR) – a procedure introduced by the authorities concerned to check ‘doubtful’ passengers – has become a cause for worry for many.
Passengers who fly to foreign countries have accused officials of the Customs department and several airlines of “extorting money by forcing them to go through the procedure”.
Several Passengers allege that the Customs examined them randomly without giving any valid reason. They say the “humiliating” procedure has often delayed their flights.
The “non-transparent” procedure, the IGIA sources told Mail Today, has become a way to extort money from passengers.
The sources said the officials of Customs and airlines are hand-in-glove with each other and “looted” money from the passengers, who await a clean chit from the Customs, to settle the deal.
“The whole procedure of RR has become a tool to harass international passengers. Even after the initial round of clearance, the Customs department shortlists a few passengers randomly for RR and asks airlines officials to escort them till its office.
Airlines staffers have no answers when passengers ask them why they should escort them,” said a senior official of an international airline, who is opposed to this practice, pleading anonymity.
09/03/15 Mail Today/Ila Choudhary/The Sen Times
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