Union minister for overseas Indian affairs Vayalar Ravi said that the government is working on a plan to check unscrupulous agents who attract Indian students for higher studies abroad against misleading claims and assurances.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an international students graduation ceremony at the Symbiosis International University (SIU), Pune, Ravi said: "Some of the recent attacks on Indian students in Australia can be traced to the manipulative ways of unscrupulous agents, who have become a liability." 

"Indian students are often induced by agents with promises that they can earn while they pursue higher studies abroad. Actually, students in countries like Australia are allowed to work for only 20 hours per week. Trouble starts when the students approach their employers for their pay," he added.

"We are pursuing certain measures aimed at keeping the agents in check. We are finding out ways by which we can control the agents - legally and otherwise," he said.

Ravi announced that the Union ministry for overseas Indian affairs will soon invite expression of interest (EoIs) from non-resident Indian (NRI)-linked trusts to establish four more universities for children of NRIs and people of Indian Origin (PIOs) in India.

"The new universities would be in addition to a similar institution coming up in Bangalore, under the Manipal Academy," he said. Fifty per cent of seats at these universities will be earmarked for NRIs and PIOs and the remaining 50 per cent, for Indian students. "The location for these proposed NRI universities will be decided by an inter-ministerial screening committee." 

In March 2007, the Union cabinet had approved a policy framework to set up universities for children of NRIs and PIOs.

According to the policy, overseas Indian trusts or registered societies with credibility in the field of education and requisite finances, will be invited to set up educational institutions. The applications submitted by societies or trusts will be scrutinised by an inter-ministerial screening committee.

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