New Delhi, Sep 9 - A seven-point action plan to stop illegal migration to other countries has been agreed upon following a two-day consultation meeting between the Ministry of Overseas Indian Affairs (MOIA) and the state governments that ended here Wednesday.

The plan seeks to notify a focal point at least at the level of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) to tackle illegal migration, to launch awareness campaign at the grassroots level and to identify high-risk prone areas - districts/talukas - for focused attention, and to start institutional efforts through district police to gather intelligence on intermediaries and middlemen who foster illegal immigration.

The other points are: to enforce in a prompt and effective manner database of cases that are closely monitored, to build capacity amongst officers at the airports/ district/NGOs and at the MOIA level, and to set up a standing core group that will meet regularly to review the action plan.

According to the ministry release, there was a consensus that the state governments and the MOIA need to make concerted efforts to resolve issues relating to overseas Indians as well as prospective emigrants.