Haryana introduces bill to amend law regulating travel agents after MHA flags overlaps

Chandigarh: Having received intimation from the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA), the Haryana govt on Friday introduced the Haryana Registration and Regulation of Travel Agents (Amendment) Bill, 2026 in the state legislative assembly to strengthen oversight of travel agents and prevent misuse of migration-related services.The bill aims to amend provisions of the Registration and Regulation of Travel Agents Act, 2025, to remove inconsistencies with the central Emigration Act, 1983. According to the statement of objects and reasons accompanying the bill, the MHA flagged overlaps between the state law and the central legislation governing overseas employment migration. "MHA has intimated that the provisions of the recently introduced ‘Haryana Registration and Regulation of Travel Agents Act, 2025', which aims to regulate travel agents operating within the state, and there are certain provisions in this statute which appear to be inconsistent with the Emigration Act, 1983, which governs the emigration of Indian citizens for employment abroad. There are certain provisions, particularly those relating to the scope of operation for travel agents, which overlap with the provisions of the Emigration Act, 1983. Certain provisions of the statute could potentially be exploited by travel agents to bypass the provisions of the Emigration Act, 1983, including mandatory registration with the Protector General of Emigrants (PGE)," stated the Haryana CM Nayab Singh Saini while reading out the reasons behind the amendment.
He stated that to avoid violation of the provisions of the Emigration Act, 1983, and to curb the growing instances of illegal recruitment activities of Indian citizens abroad by unscrupulous agents, it is proposed that the Govt of India and the state govt should work in harmony to provide a robust framework to ensure safe and legal migration.The proposed amendment revises several definitions under the principal law. The term "document" is expanded to include educational certificates, English language test certificates, travel papers, visas, tickets, and passports in both physical and electronic formats used as evidence for tourism or emigration purposes.The bill also modifies the definition of "emigrant" to clarify that it refers to Indian citizens travelling abroad for purposes such as study, tourism, medical treatment, or cultural activities, but excludes migration for employment abroad, which remains governed by the Emigration Act, 1983.Similarly, the definition of "travel agent" is broadened to cover individuals, firms, or companies engaged in activities such as processing passport or visa applications, selling air tickets, providing travel consultancy, organising foreign travel for education or tourism, and promoting international travel services. However, recruitment for overseas employment continues to fall outside the scope of the Act and remains under central regulation.The amendment also proposes changes to Section 7 of the principal law to allow action against travel agents who violate any provision of the legislation. Additionally, a new section clarifies that the Act will operate in addition to other laws in force, while giving overriding effect to central legislation in case of inconsistencies.The bill will now come up for discussion in the house during the ongoing budget session before being passed.