 statement of objects and reasonsthe entry and exit of persons from india was governed by the 'dfidian passport act, 1920 the said act was amended in 1967 to change its short title as the passport (entry into india) act, 1920 and a new legislation, namely, the passports act, 1967 was also enacted to provide for the issue of passports and travel documents to regulate the departure from india of citizens of india and other persons and for matters incidental or ancillary thereto the provisions contained in section 12 of the passports act, 1967 were amended in 1993 to provide for an imprisonment for a term extending up to five years or fine up to fifty thousand rupees sub-section (4) of section 12 provides double the penalty for a previously convicted person as compared to this, the penalty provided for the offences under the passport (entry into india) act, 1920 and the rules made thereunder, which is presently three months imprisonment or with fine or both, is not deterrent enough the existing act came into force when pakistan, bangladesh and myanmar did not exist as separate countries, and the country did not face the situation that prevails along our borders today in view of the problems being faced by the border states from these countries by illegal migration, clandestine activities, such as, smuggling of arms, ammunition and narcotics, and movement of persons having links with terrorists and terrorist organizations, it is felt necessary to enhance the penalty provided in the passport (entry into india) act, 1920 so as to bring it at par with the penalty provided in section 12 of the passports act, 1967 2 the bill seeks to achieve the above objects new delhi; lk advani the 4th august, 2000