New Delhi, Dec 15: Centre today said it has done away with the requirement of depositing one-way economy class airfare by individuals seeking emigration clearance for employment abroad. "Orders have been issued on December 3 withdrawing with effect from December 25, 2003 the requirement of depositing one way economy class airfare by individuals seeking emigration clearance for employment abroad," Labour Minister Sahib Singh Verma informed Lok Sabha in a written reply.

He said it was not obligatory for individuals with valid employment visas to furnish power of attorney, demand letter and specimen employment contract at the time of obtaining emigration clearance. "However, those person who seek emgiration clearance through registered recruiting agents are required to furnish the said documents," Singh said.

Employment generation: Singh said 80 lakh jobs would be created during the first year of tenth five year plan with special emphasis on agriculture, tourism, irrigation, agro-forestry and small and medium enterprises, information, communication technology and other services.

Retrenchment and VRS: Singh admitted that as many as 3,875 workers had been retrenched in the organised sector in 2002, higher than 3,668 in the previous year and since the inception of VRS in October, 1988, approximately 4.24 lakh employees of the central PSUs had opted till March 31, 2002. Frauds in EPFO: The minister said an amount of Rs one crore had been found misappropriated in Karnataka, Delhi, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat and "the officials, prima-facie, found blameworthy have been identified."

Bureau Report