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KARUNI BODHINAYAKE B.COM H.E. Alok Prasad Your Excellency BOORISH OFFICERS AT THE INDIAN HIGH COMMISSIONI submitted my visa application, a 'multiple' for one year, after checking with the Agency and informing them that I have a resident visa for the UK. The purpose of my visit was to visit Whitefield in Bangalore and Puttaparthy to see the Holy Man Sathya Sai Baba. My Sri Lankan passport and the application were accepted by an officer at the visa agency, VFS Lanka Pvt Ltd, 433 Galle Road, Colombo 3, on 12.3.08. I was made to pay a fee of Rs.782.50 for the multiple visa. I was given a receipt bearing the number: 'VAT-114386502-7000 (LKACO1523608-LKAA/12032008/0427/0'. Dr. Tilak S.Fernando who was with me at the agency with whom I was to travel to India was directed by the Agency staff at reception to the Indian High Commission stating that he held a British Passport and was a dual national. I was further advised that it would take only three working days to process the visa. After three days, I used their 'Passport Tracking system' by visiting www.vfs-in-jk.com, but all I could see there was a 'Pending' message until the 23rd of March 2008. After nearly three weeks, I enquired about the progress of my visa application from the VFS Lanka Pvt Ltd on 23rd March on the telephone (Tel 4505588) to be informed that my passport was 'still at Indian High Commission'. I was then asked to call back on the 24th. On 25th March, I phoned the Indian High Commission to double check on what the Agency told me, but the High Commission staff advised me that I could collect my passport on 26th from the VFS Lanka office as the passport had gone through the Agency! Going from pillar to post, I phoned the VFS Lanka office again on 26 th of March, before I started my journey to collect the passport. I was advised that I had to face an interview and requested me to visit VFS Lanka office at 12.45 p.m ( on 26th) When I presented myself at the VFS Lanka office at 12.45 pm, on time, I was rather taken aback to hear that they had to first arrange an interview and it would be at the High Commission Visa office and not at VFS Lanka! Naturally it was beyond my comprehension and I had to explain to them in no uncertain terms how they ought to get their act together rather than annoying and hassling the public unnecessarily. I did also explain to them that had I not phoned them to verify, even after three weeks of submitting my visa application, I would never have known about it, and perhaps I would still be waiting in suspense not knowing what was happening! I was given an option for an interview and I arranged it on the same afternoon at 2 pm at the Visa Office at the High Commission. When I turned up at the High Commission office what I felt was a cold reception and lack of direction. I could not believe the level of arrogance and unfriendly attitude of the staff for a start. Finally after enquiring from various members of staff, I faced an officer who gave the reason for the inordinate delay for processing my visa was due to the fact that a fax enquiry had to be sent to India High Commission in London ! In the absence of any explanation for this action, I assumed that it may be because I hold the UK resident visa stamp on several pages in my passport. I explained to the officer that I had no objection at all but my main concern was to collect my passport with the Indian visa as I had already booked my holiday flight to India. I was then informed that the fax communication to Indian High Commission in London would cost me Rs.250. I had no qualms about that either and gave the O.K to go ahead. However, continuing with the agonising saga and to my disappointment, I was then advised to reapply for the visa completely as a new applicant, inclusive of the additional charge of Rs.250 to cover the fax to London. Baffled as I was, I queried as to why I had to reapply for the visa and the reason given to me was that the "officials" had made an error in the first place. Naturally, I was not prepared to pay twice for a visa application especially when your officials had made mistakes on their part! Needless to say how frustrated and disappointed I was, thus had no option but to cancel my visa application and request to return my passport. If I were to reapply and wait again, I am sure the gate would have opened and the horse bolted as regards my booked flight to India. I was then asked to give a letter to this effect where I have spelt out clearly how I felt about the whole experience and emphasised that it was the only reason for my withdrawal of my visa application. I wish to ensure that no adverse remarks are endorsed by anyone at the visa section on my visa application filed in March 2008. This highlights the treatment I experienced from VFS Lanka Pvt Ltd and the Indian High Commission officials. I want to highlight a point to your Excellency that the general public approach the Indian visa offices for a specific reason, respecting all laid down regulations and paying the requisite visa fees demanded by the Indian government. In return the public expects the same level of admiration, fair treatment and efficient service from the officials who are paid to do a job of work for the Indian Government. During my visit to the High Commission visa section, I came across a number of people who were complaining about the shabby treatment they too were subjected to by the officials at the High Commission visa section, which later I found out that the majority was locally recruited Sri Lankans! A dear friend who applied recently for a multiple visa along with her husband to go to India for an IVF treatment recently required a lengthy period of stay in India. She was granted only a three month's visa whereas her accompanying husband given a multiple visa for one year! Finally the couple had to fly back to Colombo, bringing a letter from her Indian doctor and re-apply for her one year visa before going for treatment to India at an additional cost, waste of time and effort. Sri Lanka is a member of the SAARC community and Indian nationals, to my knowledge, qualify to obtain a tourist visa for one month at the Bandaranaike International Airport on arrival, whereas we Sri Lankans, especially the Sinhalese Buddhists, who mainly apply for a visa to visit India on pilgrimage are discriminated and harassed to no end in our efforts to obtain a simple visa! Surely we are not going to Tamil Nadu as Tamil refugees! Perhaps, your Excellency should look into this area closely, as for certain, decent and respectable visa applicants do not visit the Indian High Commission or to the appointed Agency to be hassled unnecessarily. After all, it is a paid service and the public expects a facility for the payment they make within a stipulated time frame with effective communication. I must also point out that the general attitude of the staff at the VFS Lanka office in comparison to the Visa Section at the High Commission is very courteous, friendly and professional, and except the fact they did one mistake in my application.
Signed electronically cc. Mr.Shri A.Manickam |
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