'Set up regulatory mechanism to watch agents of Oz varsities'

New Delhi, Jun 23 (PTI) In the backdrop of racist attacks
on Indian students in Down Under, India Tuesday asked
Australia to set up some kind of regulatory mechanism to keep
an eye on agents of universities whom students contact and
ensure proper wage for students who does part-time jobs there.

New Delhi's demands were put across by Union Overseas
Minister Vayalar Ravi when Australia's Secretary of Department
of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations Lisa Paul met
him at his office here.

Paul, who is on an official visit, is expected to convey
the actions taken by Australia to ensure safety of Indian
students, who were attacked there in the recent past.
Australian High Commissioner John McCarthy was also present at
the meeting.

"They (Australia) want to make some kind of a better
regulated way of doing things for students going there. We
have told them that there should be some kind of regulation in
monitoring agents for Australian universities," Ravi told
reporters after the meeting.

He also said that New Delhi has asked the Australian
government to ensure at least 13 to 15 dollars per hour to
students working there.

Paul assured India that Australia will take all
"concrete, positive and urgent" steps to make sure to stop
attacks against Indian students Down Under, saying everyone
will see a drop in such incidents in the coming days.

"Today I outlined to the Minister some of the concrete,
positive and urgent steps Australia has been taking to make
sure that these attacks stops and all Indian students are
supported well for the duration of their studies in
Australia," Paul said.

"We will see a drop in incidents in coming days," she
added.

Ravi said they had a "very very fruitful" discussion
regarding the issue of Indian students in Australia. "In the
meeting, we expressed our concern and we told them about the
reports we are receiving and steps required to improve the
situation."

Asked whether India was satisfied with the measures taken
by Australia, he said it was "not a question of satisfaction
and it is a question of action taken".

On reports about another racist attack last night, Paul
said it was "very unfortunate" and that criminal elements may
be involved in the incident. "Police have increased their
presence and capacity in vulnerable areas...We are monitoring
the situation more than daily basis," she said.

Asked whether there was any distinct pattern in the
attacks, Paul said police were monitoring the situation very
closely and "it is not entirely possible to establish a
singular pattern.

"We do know that the pattern has been largely about
crimes and personal robberies in areas in cities which are
susceptible to crime," she said, adding Australia has a zero
tolerance against racism.

Noting that Australia "unconditionally" condemns the
attacks on Indian students, she said "we welcome 4.5 lakh
students from 190 countries to Australia to study." PTI MPB
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