The Hindu Business Line : CII delegation to take up visa issue with US

The move comes at a time when the US Senate is debating Immigration Bill, which proposes to hike the yearly cap of H-1B visas to 1,15,000 from the current 65,000.

New Delhi June 7 A delegation of corporate leaders, led by the CII President, Mr Sunil Bharti Mittal, is slated to raise the contentious issue of H-1B visa with Senators and Government officials during its ongoing visit to the US to promote bilateral ties.

The move comes at a time when the US Senate is debating Immigration Bill, which proposes to hike the yearly cap of H-1B visas to 1,15,000 from the current 65,000.

Seeking Details

However, two senators Mr Charles Grassley and Mr Richard Durbin have expressed concern that H-1B visa programme is being abused by companies. Earlier this month, they wrote to nine Indian companies, including Infosys, TCS, Wipro and Satyam seeking details about visa applications and wages of such visa holders.

CII said that the high-level delegation is meeting prominent thought leaders, opinion makers, Senators and Government officials in the US including Mr Nick Burns, Under Secretary for Political Affairs, US Department of State; Mr Frank Lavin, Under Secretary, US Department of Commerce; Mr Michael Johanns, Secretary Agriculture; Senator Max Baucus, Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance; amongst others.

Other members of the delegation include Mr Hari S. Bhartia, Co-Chairman & Managing Director, Jubilant Organosys Ltd; Mr C.K. Birla, Chairman, Hindustan Motors Ltd; Mr Tarun Das, Chief Mentor, CII; Mr Atul Punj, Chairman, Punj Lloyd Ltd; Mr Analjit Singh, Chairman, Max India Ltd; and Mr Suhel Seth, Managing Director, Counselage India.

Besides H-1B, the delegation would also raise issues pertaining to banking licences, GSP for gems & jewellery, State taxes in the US (especially in New Jersey).

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