TT: What steps have you initiated to ensure people from far-flung regions don’t have to come to Ranchi for passports?
RPO: After launching a post office passport seva kendra in Jamshedpur last year, we started similar facilities in Dhanbad and Dumka this month. We are opening one in Hazaribagh on Monday. Seva kendras will also come up in Bokaro and Deogarh soon
Is the regional passport office at Ranchi equipped to handle the rush of applications?
In 2017, we processed 1 lakh applications. We have the resources to handle more
Are seva kendras equipped to handle documentation, given erratic power supply and Internet connectivity in smaller district headquarters?
That’s why we have arranged good quality UPS, broadband connectivity, and dongles
Any chance of connectivity via satellite?
Yes. We plan to have independent V-SAT facilities at all seva kendras within months
So far, how beneficial have seva kendras been?
It has saved time and money of applicants as they don’t have to travel to Ranchi and spend a full day to complete documentation and apply
Has it helped job seekers and students from remote districts?
We don’t have statistics, but a passport-holder’s chances of overseas employment are definitely more than one without a passport
What are you doing about applications in remote areas?
We have trained pragya kendra operators to accept and file passport applications
Do pragya kendras charge anything extra?
Applicants at pragya kendras need to pay Rs 50 in addition to the regular charges
Have post offices been able to provide adequate manpower for passport work?
This is an initiative of the external affairs and postal departments. After some initial issues over deployment of postal staff, things have been sorted out
What about delays in police verification?
Things have been better in the last few months. In Dhanbad, police verifications are being done within eight days. In most cases, across the other 23 districts, police verification is being completed within 20 days.
As told to Animesh Bisoee
