Passport Patrika | January - June 2013

Passport Patrika | January – June 2013

Passport

Patr ka
A bulletin of Passport services in India

-

Passport Seva Divas &
Passport Officers' Conference

- Mobile Application 'mPassport Seva'
- Online Payment System

A memorable moment : Shri Salman Khurshid, External Affairs Minister inaugurating
Passport Seva Divas & Passport Officers' Conference. Shri J Sathyanarayna, Secretary, DeitY, looks on.

In this Issue

04

Snippets
- Inaugural Address by President of India at
the Budget Session of Parliament

05

Cover Story
- Passport Seva Divas &
Passport Officers' Conference

18

Events
- Parliament Committee visits Chennai & Jaipur
- EAM visits Herald House PSK, Delhi
- Haj Passport Melas and Adalats at PSKs

22

Achievements & Recognition

28

Public Notice & Advisory

25

Key Statistics

29

Voice of people

26

Media & Public Outreach

32

Employees Corner

02 Passport Patrika | January – June 2013

Editorial Note
The 24th June 1967 is a red letter day in the history of Indian Passport. It was on this day that the
landmark Passports Act, 1967 was enacted, giving a statutory framework for issuance of passports and
other travel documents by the Government of India. Prior to the promulgation of this Act, the issuance of
Passports was regulated through administrative instructions.
It is a matter of great fulfilment indeed for the Central Passport Organization that the day - the
24th June- will henceforth be marked every year as 'Passport Seva Divas' to increase public awareness
about the significance of the passport in today's globalized life. A passport is a valuable document and
therefore, the issuance of passports assumes special significance as a citizen service delivered by the
Ministry of External Affairs.
The cover story is on the first Passport Seva Divas which was observed in the august presence of
Hon'ble External Affairs Minister, Shri Salman Khurshid. Addressing the Passport Officers' Conference
2013 which was held simultaneously, the Minister re-affirmed the citizen-centric role of Passport Offices
and exhorted them to make sustained efforts at every level to enhance citizen experience by extending
better, speedier and more secure passport services.
Three functional and security enhancements-online payment system, mobile app (mPassport Seva)
and Letter Screen Image in passport data page- were unveiled by EAM on the occasion of the Passport
Seva Divas. These innovative methods are receiving positive feedback from the applicants as these are
helping them in scheduling their visit to Passport Seva Kendra and obtaining requisite information
through smartphones.
The institution of Passport Seva Puraskars to recognize outstanding services rendered by Passport
Offices and Central Passport Organization employees is yet another pro-active measure (along with the
re-structuring of cadre, fast-track promotions and introduction of a Productivity Linked Incentive Scheme)
taken by the Ministry towards creating a committed and motivated work force. As EAM said, “these
awards would go a long way in creating benchmarks for excellence in performance and devotion to public
duty”. Felicitations, once again, to all Awardees! This issue is dedicated to all officials of the Central
Passport Organization and colleagues from TCS- the Service Provider for making the changes happen.

Muktesh Pardeshi
Joint Secretary (PSP) & Chief Passport Officer

Passport Patrika is edited and
published by Shri Muktesh Pardeshi,
Joint Secretary (PSP) &
Chief Passport Officer on behalf of
Central Passport Organisation,
Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi
Editorial Team:
Muktesh Pardeshi
Sanjiv Aggarwal

Address:
CPV Division,
Ministry of External Affairs,
Patiala House Annexe,
Tilak Marg,
New Delhi-110 001
Tel: +91-11-23387013
Fax:+91-11-23071370

Website:
http://passportindia.gov.in
E-mail:
passportpatrika@gmail.com

Design and Publishing Partner :
TATA CONSULTANCY SERVICES

Passport Patrika | January – June 2013 03

SNIPPETS
President's Inaugural Address at the Budget Session of Parliament

On 21st February 2013, the Budget Session of the Parliament began with an address by Shri Pranab Mukherjee,
President to the joint sitting of both Houses of Parliament.

Excerpts from
President's speech:
"My Government has
successfully completed the
implementation of the
Passport Seva Project, one of
the mission-mode projects
under the National eGovernance Plan, to deliver
passport related services to
our citizens in a timely,
convenient and transparent
manner."

88% of PV processed within 21 days in Andhra Pradesh
in December 2012

Passport Services feature in the UPA Government's
Report to the People 2012-2013

Andhra Pradesh has become first among large

On 22nd May 2013, Shri Manmohan Singh, Prime

states (10,000 PV/Week), where 88% of the PVs initiated
in December 2012, were completed within 21 days. The
corresponding numbers for October 2012 was only 50%.
With the active support and follow up by RPO Hyderabad
& RPO Vizag, the Police Department was able to bring the
count of PV pending for more than 21 days to 2800. This
was a sharp decline in three months from the earlier
number of 70,000. In some of the DPHq, the PVs are
getting cleared in around 10 days and have zero
pendency.

Minister of India and Smt. Sonia Gandhi, UPA Chairperson

“T

presented a report card ‘Report to the People 2012-2013’
for the second edition of the United Progressive Alliance
(UPA) Government. The report listed the achievements of
the Government on its fourth anniversary. The
improvement in Passport services feature as an item in
the Report to the People 2012-2013.

Relevant extracts from report: English

he highlight of the year was the successful implementation of the Passport Seva Project which was launched in Bengaluru in May, 2010
reaching its goal in June, 2012 when the 77th passport Seva Kendra in Delhi was unveiled for public service. During 2012, about 7.39 million
passport services were rendered, registering almost a three-fold increase since 2000, including issue of 5.94 million passports in India. The
Government took several steps to make the passport issuance system simpler, speedier and secure by strengthening of the public grievance
redressal system, setting up of a national call centre operating in 17 languages, revamping of the portal, holding of Passport Melas and Adalats
to address grievances, timely disposal of the appeal cases, and improvement in physical infrastructure in Passport Offices and introduction of
new security features in the passport booklets.”


COVER STORY

Shri Salman Khurshid, External Affairs Minister
being welcomed by Shri Muktesh Pardeshi, JS(PSP) & CPO

Passport Seva Divas & Passport Officers' Conference

O

n the 24th June 2013, Shri Salman Khurshid, External Affairs Minister inaugurated the Passport
Officers' Conference. On this occasion, he also declared the 24 June as 'Passport Seva Divas' to mark the
enactment of Passports Act on this day in 1967. The event took place at Ministry of External Affairs,
Jawaharlal Nehru Bhavan, Delhi and was attended by Shri J Sathyanarayna, Secretary, Department of
Electronics and Information Technology and other senior MEA officials including 37 RPOs.

Excerpts from External Affairs Minister's Speech

"Since the establishment of first five Regional Passport Offices in 1955 and the formation of the
Central Passport Organisation (CPO) in 1959, passport issuance has traversed a long journey. As I
understand, in the 1950s, we were issuing on an average 30,000 passports per year. These days, we issue
more than 30,000 passports in a single day! Meeting this ever increasing demand for a travel document has
been a major challenge for the Ministry. Over the years, expanding the network of Passport Offices, their
computerisation, machine-readable passports in place of hand-written ones and decentralisation of
passport services, are but a few of the landmarks in passport issuance. More recently, the Passport Seva
Project, aimed at comprehensive overhaul of passport delivery system, has been successfully implemented
across the country with making 77 Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) operational, which act as extended arms of
37 Passport Offices. The setting up of PSKs is part of the Government's firm commitment to provide timely
delivery of passport services to our fellow citizens. I take this opportunity to reaffirm the citizen-centric role
of Passport Offices, by adopting measures, which facilitate speedier and courteous service, greater
convenience and comfort to the public at large.


COVER STORY

I

am happy that with joint efforts of the Ministry and the Service Provider, Tata Consultancy
Services, PSP was rolled-out in a very short time. I would like to express my deep appreciation to all the
members of the CPV Division, Central Passport Organisation, the TCS team for their earnest efforts in
speedy implementation of this high impact e-governance Project. That the Computer Society of India
adjudged PSP as the most significant e-Governance initiative of the Government undertaken during
2011-12 is an ample recognition of Ministry's successful efforts in application of ICT for good
governance. We would also be working towards obtaining ISO Certification of the project.

Of particular significance are measures taken by the Ministry in the area of strengthening Public
Grievance Redressal, making the Passport Portal more user-friendly, improving physical infrastructure
of Passport Offices and incorporation of Letter Screen Image in passport booklets as additional security
feature. In addition to the facility of multi-lingual call centre operating in 17 major languages and
round the clock and e-mail based helpdesk, the Ministry has introduced mPassport Seva – to offer to
smart-phone users, anytime anywhere, a wide variety of services such as passport application status
tracking, location of PSKs and general information on various steps involved in obtaining passport.

Shri Salman Khurshid, External Affairs Minister, Shri A R Ghanashyam, AS (CPV) and
Shri Muktesh Pardeshi, JS (PSP) & CPO at Dais

Under the Passport Seva programme, the Ministry has introduced some innovative methods for
improved governance and citizen service delivery. One such measure is a requisite visit in person by an
applicant to the nearest Passport Seva Kendra. To give the citizen assured service, we introduced the
concept of a visit at a pre-appointed time. This is intended to address overcrowding which used to be a
regular feature in old days. However, as we progressed over the last few months, obtaining online
appointments in some of the regions in the country became a formidable challenge and a recurring
theme of public scrutiny. We are hopeful that with the launch of the scheme of advance payment of
passport fees through electronic modes and SBI challans at the time of online filing of application and
scheduling of appointment, this challenge would be adequately met. I am extremely happy that this
scheme is finally live across most parts of the country and will be fully completed in another 10 days or
so. We have started receiving positive feedback from citizens about the utility and efficacy of this
scheme.


COVER STORY

O

ne of the core component upon which hinges the timely delivery of passport services is the
Police Verification system. The delay in Police Verification of passport applications leading to delay in
passport issuance has been a major area of concern. As I gather, online interface with District Police
Authorities has brought encouraging results in some States. This model must be implemented across
India. The Ministry has taken up this matter with the concerned Chief Secretaries of State Governments
for speeding up verification process. At the level of Passport Officers, I feel there is scope for increased
coordination with the local police would greatly help in reducing delay in clearances and improve
citizen service delivery.

We are cognizant of the fact that the success of any e-Governance Project depends on what is
called 'digital inclusion'. The Ministry is currently finalising the modalities on co-opting Common
Service Centres for taking passport services closer to rural hinterland. It is a matter of satisfaction that
the Ministry has reached an understanding with the help of the Department of Information Technology
to integrate over 60,000 Common Service Centres in bringing 'public services closer home', the motto of
the Government's National e-Governance Plan.

Shri Salman Khurshid, External Affairs Minister addressing the gathering

The Ministry is also looking at expanding further the network of passport service access points in
the areas left untouched earlier. The Government is committed to setting up a Passport service outlet in
each State and Union Territory. Our focused attention would be on establishing Passport Seva Laghu
Kendras in the Northeast over the coming months. We have also requested the National Institute for
Smart Government to conduct a feasibility study on the 'Next Steps' in Passport Seva Project.


COVER STORY

Rapid advances in technology and the increasing rightful demand for transparency have created
a challenging environment in which service organisations need to operate and respond more efficiently
to the aspirations of citizens. Capacity building, training and development of skills are key factors in
attaining mission objectives. To this end, in the coming months, the Ministry would be working on
establishing a Research and Training Centre. Such a centre, apart from imparting training to officials
and personnel from other stakeholders, will also work on improvement in Passport booklet, keeping in
pace with the international norms in the field of travel documents.

As you know, a committed and motivated workforce is pre-requisite for achieving goals of the
organisation. The Ministry has taken several steps to improve the service conditions of the CPO
personnel by re-structuring of the cadre, fast-track promotions and notification of Productivity Linked
Incentive Scheme. I trust the CPO personnel would benefit from uniform and well-defined work
procedures, state–of-the-art infrastructure and system deployment, skill enhancement through
training and the totality of their efforts would lead to higher level of satisfaction for citizens. I am told
that as on date, in the new system, more than one Crore passport related services have been delivered
to citizens. With a view to recognising your valuable efforts, the Ministry has selected the best Citizen
Service Executive, Verification Officer, Granting Officer and Passport Office in the country based on
their meritorious performance and output during 2012-13. I congratulate all the awardees and hope
that these awards would go a long way in creating benchmarks for excellence in performance and
devotion to public duty.
Ladies and Gentlemen

Celebrating anniversaries, commemorations or observance of days such as this are not
ritualistic but instead provide opportunity to re-assess our performance and to engage ourselves in
constructive interaction to learn transferable lessons for betterment of passport service delivery across
the country. The Passport Offices being the public interface of the Ministry, it is essential to ensure that
sustained efforts are made at every level to enhance citizen experience.

The deliberations during this Conference, I am confident, would lead to practical and forward
looking suggestions for improving overall management and image of the CPO. Today as we celebrate
this Passport Seva Divas, let us rededicate ourselves to respond with empathy and more efficiently in a
transparent manner to meet increasing expectations of citizens to make passport issuance simpler,
speedier and more secure and thus contribute our mite to good governance in the country. I wish you a
very happy Passport Seva Divas and wish the Conference all success."
[www.mea.gov.in]


COVER STORY

Message of Shri Salman Khurshid, External Affairs Minister on the occasion of Passport Seva Divas 2013


COVER STORY

Passport Officers' Conference Snapshots

unveiling plaque of New PO Building, Surat

New Passport Office Building in Surat

The

Ministry has constructed a State-of-art

Passport Office building at Moje Umra, Surat along with
22 Staff residences at a cost of Rs. 18 Crore. The building is
spread over in an area of 3000 Sq. Metres.

launching 'mPassport Seva' Mobile Application

Mobile Application 'mPassport Seva'

The Ministry of External Affairs, with a view to
provide mobile enablement of public services, launched
a Mobile Application 'mPassport Seva' to offer a wide
variety of services to Smartphone users such as Passport
Application status tracking, locating the Passport Seva
Kendra (PSK) and general information on various steps
involved in obtaining the passport. The latest version of
the application can be downloaded from Passport Seva
Portal.

According

to the 'Android Reborn' website,

Passport Seva mobile application 'mPassportSeva' has
been rated among the top 5 utility Android applications
for Indian users. As per the website, the best thing
noticed for the application is that it finds the nearest
Passport Seva Kendra through phone's location settings.
New Passport Office Building in Surat

The building is fully air-conditioned with 100%
power backup, 500 KVA transformer with 3-Phase supply,
storage capacity of 5 Lakh files, entry to classified areas
through access cards and CCTV surveillance system. The
PO shifted to new location on 24th May 2013.


Also, the mobile application enables the tracking of
application status of the applicants. Additionally, it has
the option of fee calculator, which shows the amount
payable for a particular application. On an average, there
are around 6500 downloads per week.

COVER STORY

Passport Officers' Conference Snapshots

launching Online payment facility

Online Payment System launched to ease appointment
availability

was presented Passport Series 2012 with LSI feature by
Shri A R Ghanashyam, AS (CPV)

Letter Screen Image in Passport Booklets Launched

Reviewing the operations over the last one year, it
was observed that a large number of applicants were not
turning up at the Passport Seva Kendras despite taking
valid appointment. This was not only resulting in lesser
utilisation of processing capacity of the PSK, but was also
causing denial of appointments for other genuine
applicants. To resolve the issue of non-availability of
appointments and to reduce no-show of applicants, MEA
has launched the Online payment system for booking
appointments.
Letter Screen Image provides added level of Security

With the new process, payments can be made
either by Credit /Debit Card (both Master and Visa) or
Internet Banking of State Bank of India. Applicants can
also use the Challan option provided on the website and
deposit the money in State Bank of India (SBI) branch
after generating Challan online. In such cases, upon the
confirmation of payment receipt by SBI, applicants can
take appointment. On payment of the fee, the system
automatically allots the earliest available appointment
slot to the applicant.

In order to obviate the
problems of smudging of
photographs and data and
to improve the quality,
functionality and security
of Indian passports,
additional security feature
has been added to the
passport booklet i.e.
inclusion of applicant's photograph in the form of a Letter
Screen Image (LSI) or 'ghost image' with personal data of
the passport holder in the passport.

COVER STORY

Passport Seva Puraskar

In recognition of the outstanding services rendered to the citizens by CPO employees and Passport Offices, the
concept of "Passport Seva Puraskar" was conceived. The names of the awardees were decided by a jury consisting of
members from CPV Division, NISG, NeGP and TCS. The awards were presented by External Affairs Minister.

The Passport Offices were categorised on the basis of volume of applications processed during 1st June 2012 to
31st May 2013. Accordingly, Passport Offices processing more than 2.5 Lakh applications per annum are kept in Category
(A), applications processed between 1-2.5 Lakh are kept in Category (B) and applications processed below 1 Lakh are kept
in Category (C).

On the basis of above and by adopting certain parameters, the best performing RPOs were awarded "Certificate
of Excellence" as under:
Award Category

RPO Name

Team Leader

Category A

Kozhikode

Shri K P Madhusoodanan

Category B

Jaipur

Shri Shrawan Kumar Verma

Category C

Ranchi

Shri Sanatan

The Jury members also decided to award "Certificate of Appreciation" under each category of Passport Offices as
below:
Award Category

RPO Name

Team Leader

Category A

Hyderabad

Shri K Srikar Reddy

Category B

Trichy

Shri K Balamurugan

Category C

Coimbatore

Shri S Sasikumar

Similarly based on number of files processed in PSK, the jury decided to award “Certificate of Merit" to the
following individuals:
Award Category

Name

Role

RPO Name

Category A

Lakshmi Devi K.P.

CSE

Hyderabad

Category A

G.B. Amin

VO

Ahmedabad

Category A

A.D. Solanki

GO

Ahmedabad

Category B

Sooraj T.V.

CSE

Malappuram

Category B

B.B. Waghela

VO

Surat

Category B

Rashmika Deepak Shah

GO

Surat

Category C

Jitendra Kumar Behera

CSE

Bhubaneswar

Category C

S. R. Chelladurai

VO

Coimbatore

Category C

Ashok Ramchandra Sonkusara

GO

Nagpur


COVER STORY


1.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.


2.

8.

COVER STORY


9.

10.

11.

12.

13.

14.

External Affairs Minister giving away Passport Seva Puraskar to:
(1) Lakshmi Devi K.P. (2) A.D. Solanki (3) Sooraj T.V. (4) B.B. Waghela (5) Rashmika Deepak Shah (6) Jitendra Kumar
Behera (7) S. R. Chelladurai (8) A. R. Sonkusara (9) Shri K P Madhusoodanan (10) Shri Shrawan Kumar Verma
(11) Shri Sanatan (12) Shri K Srikar Reddy (13) Shri K Balamurugan (14) Shri S Sasikumar


COVER STORY

1.

2.

Passport Officers'

4. Shri A R Ghanashyam, AS (CPV)
addressing the Conference
5. POs raising queries during interactive
session with Shri Ranjan Mathai,
Foreign Secretary
6. Shri A S Cheema, DCP
Special Branch, Delhi Police
speaking on improving Police
integration & verification

4.


3.
1. Shri Salman Khurshid
External Affairs Minister
with Regional Passport Officers
with Leadership Team of MEA & TCS
with Leadership Team of MEA & TCS

Conference Snapshots

5.

6.


EVENTS
Parliament Committee visits Chennai & Jaipur

The First Subcommittee of the Committee of
Parliament on Official Language inspected Passport
Offices at Chennai on 4th January 2013 & Jaipur on 2nd
February 2013 with reference to use of Hindi language
in their functioning.

Live Broadcast Program on Radio Mirchi by RPO
Coimbatore

On 16th March 2013, RPO Coimbatore, Shri S.
Sasikumar participated in a 3 hour live programme on
FM Radio Channel 'Radio Mirchi' to sensitise passport
seeking applicants and to clarify the doubts on passport
related matters.
EAM visits Herald House PSK, Delhi

On 20th March 2013, Shri Salman Khurshid,

Committee visits Chennai

External Affairs Minister visited PSK at Herald House,
Delhi. He spent around two hours at the PSK, keenly
observed the PSK process and also interacted with
citizens to understand their difficulties, issues and
experiences. During his visit he unveiled PSP Mobile
Application 'mPassport Seva'.

Committee visits Jaipur

Estimates Committee visits Goa

On

10th January 2013, the Committee on
Estimates of Lok Sabha made a visit to Passport Office
Goa with special reference to "Passport services in
India'. The Committee also reviewed the functioning of
Passport Office.

at Herald House PSK

Shri Ratan Tata at PSK Mumbai

O

n 15th April 2013, Shri Ratan Tata, former
Chairman of Tata Sons visited Lower Parel PSK, Mumbai
for renewal of his passport. A walkthrough of PSK
operations was arranged for him. He was impressed
with the whole system of processing of passport
application at the PSK.

Committee of Estimates during visit to RPO Goa

Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry (GCCI)
Committee visits PSK Panaji

O

n 14th March 2013, Shri Manguirish Pai Raikar,
President GCCI (Goa Chamber of Commerce & Industry)
along with other members visited Panaji PSK. GCCI
President presented a memento to Shri Krishan Kumar,
Passport Officer in appreciation of excellence in
passport services.

Shri Ratan Tata with PSK Officials

EVENTS
Haj Passport Melas and Adalats

O

n 23rd February 2013, Haj Passport Mela was organised at Trichy & Thanjavur PSKs. A total of 250 applicants
turned up for the Mela. Further, RPO set up a special Haj helpdesk to address queries related to the passport applications,
status enquiry and grievances of prospective Haj pilgrims.

On 2nd March 2013, Passport Mela for Haj Pilgrims was organised at PSK Saligramam, Chennai. A total of 665
applications were received. On 5th March 2013, special Haj Passport Adalat was organised at RPO, Patna. A total of 405
Haj applicants turned up in the Adalat and their cases were disposed off on priority.

A special Haj counter was setup at PSK Malappuram and was operational from 18th February 2013 till 12th March
2013. More than 650 passport applications were received and processed at the counter. On 7th March 2013, 'Passport
Adalat for Haj pilgrims' was conducted in Coimbatore.

Passport Mela Brief
(Held during the weekend)
Date of Passport Mela

Passport Seva Kendra

RPO

Applications Collected

19-01-2013
19-01-2013, 16-02-2013, 06-04-2013
06-04-2013
02-02-2013, 04-05-2013, 25-05-2013
02-02-2013, 04-05-2013
02-02-2013, 16-02-2013
06-04-2013, 01-06-2013
16-02-2013
16-02-2013, 11-05-2013, 15-06-2013
09-03-2013, 27-04-2013
09-03-2013

Bareilly
Thane
Nashik
Bhubaneswar
Panaji
Pune

Bareilly
Thane
Thane
Bhubaneswar
Goa
Pune

311
2313
80
1046
439
2008

Madurai
Malappuram
Jammu
West Hill, Vatakara
Kannur, Payyannur
Srinagar
Patna

Madurai
Malappuram
Jammu
Kozhikode

477
1853
147
705

Srinagar
Patna

246
3132

Andheri, Malad, L Parel
Nagpur
Mithakali, Rajkot
Vadodra, Vijay Cross
Kolkata
Bhopal
Surat
Gurgaon, Herald House
RK Puram, Shalimar Place
Ghaziabad
Amritsar
Chandigarh
Lalbagh, Sai Arcade
Mangalore, Hubli
Jalandhar - I

Mumbai
Nagpur
Ahmedabad

1198
283
1175

Kolkata
Bhopal
Surat
Delhi

722
243
403
642

Ghaziabad
Amritsar
Chandigarh
Bangalore

317
347
150
1125

Jalandhar

90

09-03-2013, 10-03-2013
23-03-2013, 27-04-2013
25-05-2013, 22-06-2013
06-04-2013
06-04-2013
20-04-2013
20-04-2013
27-04-2013
27-04-2013
04-05-2013
11-05-2013
25-05-2013
01-06-2013
08-06-2013
29-06-2013

Total

19452


EVENTS
Passport Adalat - Jalandhar

On

6th April 2013, Passport Adalat was
organised at RPO Jalandhar premises. The main focus of
Adalat was Mission Reference Group (MRG) cases. RPO
called more than 1,000 applicants through letters, out
of which 850 came to participate in the Adalat. Overall
600 cases were disposed off in the Adalat.

Students with disabilities visit Herald House
PSK, Delhi

On 15th May 2013, 50 Delhi University students
with disabilities visited Herald House PSK for their
passport applications. Students required passports for
pursuing undergraduate studies on an International
Educational Excellence Programme to the UK.
RPO Jalandhar interacting with applicants

Department of Post Officials visit Herald House PSK,
Delhi
Interactive Programme with Police Authorities by RPO
Coimbatore

In

order to sensitize the officials in Police
Department about the Passport Verification procedure
to be followed, the RPO Coimbatore organised an
interactive programme in coordination with Inspector
General of Police, Coimbatore on 12th June 2013 in the
premises of Police Training Centre at Coimbatore. The
Inspectors and Sub-Inspectors of Police of
Coimbatore(Urban), Coimbatore(Rural), Erode and
Tiruppur districts dealing with Passport Verification
rolls participated in the programme.

On 26th April 2013, a senior delegation from the
Department of Post visited Herald House PSK, Delhi. A
walkthrough of PSK operations was arranged for
visitors. The delegation was impressed with the PSK
and its smooth operation.

The delegation during the walk-through of PSK


EVENTS

Nitaquat (Amnesty) in Saudi Arabia

The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) announced Nitaquat (Amnesty) for the regularisation of stay of illegal
expatriates in Saudi Arabia till 3rd July 2013. The Saudi authorities directed all such expatriates to obtain valid resident
permit and emphasised that no expatriates will be allowed to stay in KSA without valid resident permit after 3rd July 2013.
This created serious anxiety among the workers having poor financial backgrounds. Huge numbers of Indian expatriates
residing there without proper documents approached Embassy of India, Riyadh and Consulate General of India, Jeddah
for receiving various consular services mostly Emergency Certificates and Passports (who were able to get work and valid
sponsor).

A number of measures were taken by Indian Government to facilitate their stay there as well as repatriation to
India, which included exemption of fee for Emergency Certificate(G.S.R. 303(E) dated 13th May 2013), deployment of
additional manpower, extended working hours at our Missions in Riyadh and Jeddah. A team of officials from Ministry
including CPV Division was sent to Riyadh and Jeddah for the last month of Nitaquat.

A record number of Emergency Certificates and Passports were issued to Indian citizens during the period. As per
the data available, the no. of Emergency Certificates issued from E/I, Riyadh and CGI, Jeddah is 65,000/- and 20,000/respectively. However, till the last date of Nitaquat, a large number of expatriates were unable to get their stay regularised
in KSA or obtained Emergency Certificates. Thus, on the request of various forums as well as keeping in view the welfare of
the expatriates, the Government of Saudi Arabia has extended the 'Nitaquat' till 14th November 2013.

What is an EC ?
An EC is a document issued by an Indian Mission / Post abroad for “authorising a person to enter India.”

Sample Emergency Certificate


1 Crore passport applications processed through Passport Seva Project

The

Passport Seva Project achieved a
landmark figure of processing more than 1 Crore
passport applications since its inception in 2010.
Shri Muktesh Pardeshi, JS (PSP) & CPO said,
"Processing more than a Crore applications for
passports and related services is a noteworthy
milestone. Our officials have been working
relentlessly to provide hassle-free passport services
to citizens. We have also taken assertive steps to
streamline and simplify the process for passport
applicants."
[Kerala IT News, 22nd June 2013]

Master Adnan Raja( with his parents) receiving passport
from RPO Kolkata , Dr R Sivakumar. Adnan Raja became the
lucky 1,00,00,000th applicant

Passport Seva wins at Tata Innovista regional rounds

Passport

Passport Seva team receiving the award from
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former President

Seva won the regional rounds
(India, North) of Tata Innovista in the 'Promising
Innovations' category. The award was presented by
Dr APJ Abdul Kalam, former President of India, at a
ceremony held in New Delhi on 14th March 2013.
Tata Innovista is a Tata group wide programme held
annually to encourage, recognise and showcase
outstanding innovations done by Tata companies
across the globe. This year there were 2100
innovations submitted by 64 companies. In North
India, there were 243 entries of which 19 were
shortlisted for the regional presentation round.

Passport Seva wins the 'Best Executed Project' Award at TCS BLITZ 2013

The Passport Seva project won the coveted
'Best Executed' project award at Blitz 2013 – TCS'
annual global senior leadership conference, held in
Goa on 2nd – 3rd March 2013. The Blitz awards
provide the highest level of recognition to
achievements and contributions by account teams
and operating units during the past year.

Passport Seva team receiving the award from Shri Cyrus Mistry,
Tata Group Chairman, Shri S. Ramadorai , TCS Vice Chairman
and Shri N Chandrasekaran, TCS CEO & MD



Three year of successful completion of Passport Seva Project in Bangalore

RPO Bangalore observed three years of successful completion of PSP in Bangalore. It was in May 2010 when
the pilot project was launched in Bangalore.

With the implementation of the Passport Seva
Project, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), along
with its implementation partner Tata Consultancy
Services (TCS), has taken assertive steps to deliver
passport services to citizens in a timely, transparent,
more accessible and reliable manner. Bangalore has
become the first RPO to touch one million applications
mark in the PSP system since 9th March 2010 when the
first application was processed at Lalbagh PSK.

Since December 2012, the number of appointment slots have increased from 37,900 to 49,800 in July 2013, a
rise of 32%. Correspondingly, the number of passport applications processed per month has increased from
approximately 28,700 to 39,500. In the last three years, number of passport applications processed has increase by
over 43%.

S

hri P S Karthigeyan, RPO Bangalore, said, "Since
August 2012, Passport Seva Project in Bangalore has
successfully issued 4,42,100 passports to the fellow
citizens and in July itself more than 40,000 passports
were dispatched. Also average time to dispatch
passport is around 14 days excluding Police verification
time. To make the whole experience citizen friendly, we
have also organised several Passport Melas to enhance
the accessibility of passports for people and ease the
rush of applicants. "



Civil Services Day: Background Papers for Panel Discussions

PSP has been featured as one of the 7 best examples of public services delivery in India according to a
compilation of background papers by Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances, Public
Grievances and Pensions, Government of India.

3.2 Passport Issuance Service Delivery

Page No. 66


Key Statistics: Passport Services in India: Jan'13 - Jun'13

(i) Passport Applications Received
Normal

Category

Fresh

Reissue

6,855
21,98,280
78,293
28,805
7,065
23,19,298

Walkin
Online
Official/Diplomatic
DPC
SPC
Others
Total

Tatkal
1,526
9,35,827
239
5,090
23
9,42,705

Fresh
10
1,40,310
1,269
2
4
1,41,595

Reissue

Misc (PCC / LOC)
6
1,53,507
1,53,513

13
131,61,020
1,123
3
1,62,159

Total
8,410
35,88,944
2,392
78,534
33,902
7,088
37,19,270

(ii) Passports/PCC Issued
34,50,153
1,49,846
35,99,999

No. of Passports Issued
No. of PCC Issued
Total

(iii) Police Verification Trends
32,44,708
31,87,635
6,25,290
50
35

No. of PV Initiated
No. of PV approved by Police
Police Pendency (>21 days)(as on 30 Jun 2013)
Average Police Verification time
% of PV completed within 21 days

(iv) Average Time for Issuance of Passport (Excluding PV Time)*

PSKs
Normal

DPC/SPC/Others
Tatkal

12

Normal
6

118

*excludes escalated, adverse, stop cases.



1

2

3

5

4

6

7

(1) The Times of India, Pune, Dt.: 05-02-2013; (2) Deccan Chronicle, Bangalore, Dt.29-05-2013;
(3) The Indian Express, Pune, Dt.: 10-05-2013; (4) The Times of India, New Delhi, Dt. 10-05-2013;
(5) Financial World, New Delhi, Dt.: 26-06-2013; (6) Hindustan Times, Kolkata, Dt.: 22-04-2013;
(7) The Times of India, Chennai, Dt.: 05-01-2013



1

2
3

4

5
6

8

7

(1) Ahmedabad Mirror, Ahmedabad, Dt.: 13-04-2013; (2) Money Life, Dt. : 14-05-2013;
(3) Campaign India, National, Dt.: 25-01-2013; (4)The Sunday Times, Pune, Dt.: 07-04-2013;
(5) The Hindu, Tiruchi, Dt.: 15-05-2013; (6) The Times of India, Pune, Dt.: 24-05-2013;
(7) Sakaal Times, Pune, Dt.: 07-04-2013; (8) Mail Today, New Delhi, Dt.: 11-01-2013


Public Notice & Advisory

Acceptance of Aadhaar Letter/ Card as Proof of Identity and Proof of Address for
passport application

The Ministry of External Affairs has decided and accordingly advised all
Passport issuing authorities to accept Aadhaar Letter/ Card as Proof of Address (PoA)
and Proof of Identity (PoI) in conjunction with any other prescribed documents for
Proof of Address/ Identity for the purpose of passport application.

This is further clarified that the Acknowledgment Receipt issued by the UID
authorities while applying for Aadhaar does not constitute Aadhaar Letter/ Card. An
Aadhaar Letter/ Card contains 12 digits Aadhaar No., which would only be accepted as
PoI and PoA by Passport Issuance Authorities (PIAs).
[29th January 2013]

Haj 2013 – 14: An Update and Advisory for Passport Applicants

As decided by the Haj Committee of India (constituted under Act of Parliament No. 35 of 2002), only valid passport
holders can apply for Haj. Therefore, all prospective Haj applicants were advised to get their passport issued before the
Haj announcement 2013. Applications for Haj 2013 were received between 6th February 2013 and 30th March 2013 by
the Haj Committee of India as per new norms. It is a matter of satisfaction that the issuance of passports to prospective
Haj pilgrims has been a very smooth affair this year. Against the allocated Haj quota of 1,25,000 applications,
approximately 3 Lakh application forms were received by the Haj Committee of India by the prescribed deadline.

Instructions have been issued to all the Passport Offices to accord high priority to passport applications of
prospective Haj applicants and extend requisite assistance for expeditious issuance of passports to them by means of
nominating a nodal office; opening of facilitation counter, reserving appointment slots for such applicants and attending
to requests/grievances petitions received from such citizens in a very prompt manner.

All concerned citizens and prospective Haj applicants are advised to apply well in time for issuance of passports
so that they get their passports by end-2013/early-2014, well before the Haj announcement 2014 is made by the Haj
Committee of India. All Passport Offices across India will be advised to provide requisite assistance for expeditious
issuance of passports to prospective Haj applicants.
[9th May 2013]


Citizen Feedback

In the Passport Seva Project, various channels
used for feedback collection are as follows:
a) Feedback forms filled at PSKs
b) Touch screen facility installed at select PSKs
c) E-mails received at PSP Helpdesk
d) Online through the Passport Seva Portal
e) Call Centre
PSK-wise Overall Citizen Satisfaction Index

Collection of feedback is done on the following four
parameters:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Cleanliness and ambience
Courtesy
Efficiency / service delivery
Overall Experience

This section presents citizen satisfaction gathered over
25.68 Lac+ citizens during January 2013 – June 2013.

100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
Cleanliness and
Ambience

Courtesy

Excellent

Efficiency

Good

Poor

Overall
Experience

Average of 99.78 % Citizen Satisfaction level overall for all PSKs.

Citizen Speak
(January 2013 – June 2013)
VIP Feedback
• A candle in darkness of India… . Online application, scheduling of interview, friendliness of staff at Passport Office,
facility for scanning of documents, interview process for verification and timely delivery of passport at home.
Everything was functioning so well despite huge workload.
Nilesh Shah, Axis Bank 21st March 2013, Mumbai
• We are so pleasantly amazed that we got the jumbo new passport issued within 2 weeks (under Normal scheme:
no Tatkal stuff)
Sridhar Natarajan, Strategy Consultant, ex Pres Dir, Bank ICB Bumiputera, 28th January, Chennai
Citizen's Comments - Appreciative/Positive
• The system followed for verification of documents and time taken for the process is just excellent. We never had
this experience in any Government department. We got the passport next day. Our sincere thanks to the RPO
and team in Kovai for their wonderful service.
R Rathinam, 13th June 2013, Coimbatore
• The quality of work PSK staff are doing is amazing. What really surprised me was modernization of Government
Institution to MNC look.
Joy Solomon Rajan, Bangalore
Citizen's Comments - Scope for Improvement
• Please provide some shelter to our parents, they are sitting in sunlight outside of the office
Sahitya Ramireddy, Vijayawada
(Note: Based on similar feedback attendant is allowed to escort applicant & in some of PSKs facility of shelter arranged
outside)
• It's very difficult to get the appointment after that it's very easy work at PSK
Manikandan, 16th January 2013, PSK Malappuram
(Note: Based on similar feedback Online Payment system for booking appointment made mandatory)

A letter of appreciation from Shri R.C. Bhargava, Chairman, Maruti Suzuki on passport services at PSK Ghaziabad


A letter of appreciation from Shri Inderjit Khanna, former Chief Secretary of Rajasthan on passport services at PSK Jaipur


Employees Corner

DPCs held during the period

List of officers who have joined on deputation

Officials who relinquished charge
Date of relinquishment


Employees Corner

New Appointments

List of officers retired/availed VRS from service & expired during January 2013 - June 2013


Employees Corner

List of officers retired/availed VRS from service & expired during January 2013 - June 2013

Workshop on Art of Living at RPO Coimbatore

In

order to improve the standard of living among officers and staff members and interpersonal
relationship, RPO Coimbatore organised Part – I, Programme on 'Art of Living' from 21st January 2013 to 25th
January 2013 after the office hours. The event was sponsored by the Rotary Club of Coimbatore. Shri A Vijai
Anand, Professor of MBA, Oxford College of Business Management, who is also serving as a faculty in the
'International centre for Art of living' at Bangalore for the past 10 years handled the session.

Employees Corner

Senior Level Appointments

Shri B. K. Gupta(IFS: 1979), who served as Additional/Special Secretary(CPV) during June 2010-April 2013,
has been appointed as India's Ambassador to Italy. Shri Gupta had earlier served as Consul General in Hong Kong
and Ambassador/High Commissioner in Tunisia and Papua New Guinea. He worked as RPO Delhi during 1987-92.

Shri B. K. Gupta

Shri A. R. Ghanashyam(IFS: 1982) has taken over the position of Shri B K Gupta. Shri Ghanashyam earlier
served as Joint Secretary(Gulf & Haj) and Ambassador of India to Angola(2007-2010).

Shri A. R. Ghanashyam


Steps for Passport Application Processing

A

Online Filing

B

Payment and Appointment Scheduling

C

Visit to Passport Seva Kendra

Step 1

Entry and Security check

Step 2

Token issuance

Step 3

Scanning of documents, Biometric and Photograph capture at CSE counter

Step 4

Documents verification at VO counter

Step 5

Decision on granting of passport at GO counter

Step 6

Confirmation letter

Exit

Ministry of External Affairs
Government of India

In partnership with

www.passportindia.gov.in
24x7 Call Centre
Toll free number 1800-258-1800

Passport Patrika | January - June 2013

Passport Patrika | January - June 2013

Recomendados

Recomendados

Más contenido relacionado

Similar a Passport Patrika | January - June 2013

Similar a Passport Patrika | January - June 2013 (20)

Último

Último (20)

Passport Patrika | January - June 2013