India introduces new category of visa to fast track Afghan applications
Darpan News Desk IANS, 17 Aug, 2021 12:02 PM
New Delhi, Aug 17 (IANS) In view of the prevailing critical condition in Afghanistan, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Tuesday announced a new category of electronic visas to fast-track applications of Afghans who are willing to come to India.
"MHA reviews visa provisions in view of the current situation in Afghanistan. A new category of electronic visa called 'e-Emergency X-Misc Visa' introduced to fast-track visa applications for entry into India," the Ministry spokesperson tweeted.
Under this category of visa, the applications of Afghans will be processed quickly so that they can come to India as soon as possible.
Meanwhile, reviewing the deteriorating condition in the war-torn country, the Central government has asked the Indian Ambassador and the remaining staff to return.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has said that India is closely monitoring the situation in Afghanistan after Kabul fell to the Taliban on Sunday.
"Monitoring the situation in Kabul continuously. Understand the anxiety of those seeking to return to India. Airport operations are the main challenge. Discussions with partners in that regard," Jaishankar said in a tweet on Tuesday.
He also informed that an Afghanistan cell has been created in the External Affairs Ministry for the constant monitoring of the situation.
"We are in constant touch with the Hindu and Sikh community leaders in Kabul. Their welfare will get our priority attention," the Minister tweeted further.
"The government has been closely monitoring the evolving situation in Afghanistan and for evacuation of Indian as well as diplomatic staffs, all contingency plans are already in place and all steps are being taken to ensure safety of the Indian Embassy in Kabul and Indian nationals are not at any risk," a source said.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), General M.M. Naravane, reached Kashmir on Wednesday on a two-day visit to review the prevailing security situation in the Union Territory (UT), the army said in a statement.
"There have been several unfounded media reports that have peddled misinformation among the masses regarding this exercise of national importance," a ministry statement said, adding that the total number of Covid vaccine doses administered in the country so far stand at 21,85,46,667.
The Congress said that it was "appropriate for our initial statement to note that the intrusion by Israeli forces into the Holy Al Aqsa mosque during Ramzan prayers had ruptured the delicate peace in the region".
The Delhi High Court on Tuesday suggested the young patients should be prioritised in the distribution of Liposomal Amphotericin B drug, used for treating black fungus, "as they hold promise of future over the older ones who have lived their lives".
Giving information about the cases of black fungus, Kejriwal said nearly 944 cases of black fungus have been reported in Delhi, of these nearly 300 patients are being treated in various Central government-run hospitals here.
