I am a senior citizen. On January 24, 2003, I applied for renewal of my passport. After two weeks, I visited the passport website to check the status of my file (B000853). The website informed me that I should meet the PRO. I went to the passport office only to be told that I should report at the enquiry counter. There I found myself in a small cramped room with just one ceiling fan where at least another 100 people were jostling to find space. After waiting an hour I was told that there would be police verification and I cannot meet the PRO. There was no definite answer as to why I was asked to meet the PRO in the first place. Two weeks later, I went to the Jadavpur police station and submitted the details asked for. This was in early March last year. While the DIB, Javapur office, claims that my report has been sent to the authorities concerned, the passport website still maintains that I should meet the PRO. Could you please tell me what I should do now?

Arun Prasad Mukherjee,
Address withheld

No response from passport office

Roundup

Prabir Basu of Consumers Unity and Guidance Forum advises:

Kindly note that non-issuance of passport does not constitute a consumer dispute under the Consumer Protection Act. Though you are a senior citizen you have no relief before the Consumer Fora as you cannot claim to be a consumer of the passport office. There are, however, a few passport adalats that look into pending cases. It is advisable to get in touch with one of these.