US Global Entry Programme

• 19 May 2021

Why in News

Indian security agencies in the past two years checked the antecedents of more than 9,000 Indians who wanted to enrol for the US’ Global Entry Program.

• The Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) is being used for antecedent verification.

Key Points

• About:
  
  • Global Entry is a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows speedy clearance for low-risk travellers upon their arrival in the US.
  • Though the pilot project started in 2008, India became a member of Global Entry in 2017.
  • The travellers are pre-approved for the programme after a rigorous background check.
  • After receiving a request, the US authorities send them to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). The MEA forwards it to the Ministry of Home Affairs, which taps other ministries, State police and other databases to run a background check.
  • The CBP does not process the application if a person has been “convicted of any criminal offence or have pending criminal charges, including outstanding warrants, have been found in violation of any customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws in any country.”
• Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS):
  
  • About:
    
    • CCTNS is a centrally funded scheme, developed by the National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB).
      
      • It is a Mission Mode Project under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP) of the Ministry of Home Affairs.
      • It was approved in 2009.
    • It is a secure application that links over 97% of police stations in the country.
  • Objectives:
    
    • Make the Police functioning citizen friendly and more transparent by automating the functioning of Police Stations.
    • Improve delivery of citizen-centric services through effective usage of ICT.
    • Provide the Investigating Officers of the Civil Police with tools, technology and information to facilitate investigation of crime and detection of criminals.

Source: TH