Date:15/07/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/07/15/stories/2008071554830600.htm

Tamil Nadu

Passport: panel issues a series of directives

S. Sundar

MADURAI: The Parliamentary Committee on External Affairs, on Monday, gave a series of directives to officials concerned to ensure processing of passport applications within the stipulated period at Madurai Passport Office.

The panel, led by Dr. Laxminarayan Pande, held discussion with the Madurai Collector, S.S. Jawahar, the Inspector General of Police (South Zone), Sanjeev Kumar, the Commissioner of Police, K. Nandabalan, and officials from the Postal Department.

The committee member, S.K. Karvendan, said that in order to prevent irregularities in receiving applications, the panel had advised that an officer be on duty from 7 a.m. on working days to provide serial numbers for applications on first-come-first-served basis.

Though the office starts functioning at 9.30 a.m., the applicants throng it much earlier. Besides, a huge ‘pandal’ with seating facility should be put up to accommodate applicants.

Nine counters, including special counters for the disabled and aged, should be operated for quick clearance. Mr. Karvendan said that 15 to 20 applicants should be allowed at a time in each of the counters, so that the hall was not over-crowded.

Within 30 days

The committee has given instructions to police officials to ensure that police verification process is completed within 30 days. The Passport Officer has been asked to clear applications and issue passports against them within 10 days of receiving the police verification reports.

Stating that the Collector had promised to provide necessary land to set up a permanent building for the Passport Office, along with staff quarters, Mr. Karvendan said that the Chief Passport Officer, R. Swaminathan, had been asked to fill up all existing vacancies in the office.