The government is striving to issue `tatkal' passports the same day and ordinary passports within three days of police verification, minister of state for external affairs E. Ahamed told the Lok Sabha today.
The government proposes to have 68 passport facilitation centres all over the country as part of its efforts to deliver passport-related services to the citizens in a timely, transparent and more accessible manner. "Non-sovereign functions" involved in the passport issuance process, such as the initial scrutiny of application forms, acceptance of fee, scanning of documents, taking photos, etc. will be done by the service provider to be selected through an open bidding process."
The government staff at the passport facilitation centres will verify the documents and decide on granting the passport. The other activities such as printing and dispatch will also be done by the government staff. Police verification will be expedited through electronic linkage of the passport facilitation centres with the police authorities in state capitals. The government has fixed a time frame of 19 months for the implementation of the `Passport Seva Project'.
Source: Tribune, 29-11-07
