CAG slams Indian HC in London for ‘arbitrary’ visa fee

The Indian High Commission in London had allegedly allowed a service provider to levy a fee at an “arbitrary rate” in handling fast track business visas resulting undue benefit of Rs 10 crore to the private entity, said government auditor CAG. In a report tabled in the Parliament, it said the service provider, handling visa support service was permitted to collect 25 pound from each applicant for fast track business visa in place of normal charge of 7.70 pound, from 2010 to 2015 that resulted a benefit.

“Permitting the service provider to handle fast track business visa with service charge at an arbitrary rate (GBP 25) in place of normal service charge of GBP 7.7 resulted in undue benefit of Rs 10.72 crore to the service provider during the period March 2010 to February 2015,” the CAG said. The High Commission had entered into an agreement in 2008 with VF Services (UK) Ltd for various visa support services.