Guwahati, Feb. 24: The Centre will open nine new passport seva kendras across Assam.
Union minister of state for external affairs Gen. V.K. Singh, who was in the city, told Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal during a discussion today that the kendras will be set up at Dibrugarh, Silchar, Tezpur, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Goalpara, Lakhimpur, Nagaon and Diphu.
A communiqué released by the chief minister's office said Singh promised Sonowal that the external affairs ministry would extend all support to maximise the presence of passport seva kendras in Assam. Such centres will be opened at district head post offices initially.
Apart from ministry personnel, these centres will be manned by postal department staff.
Keeping in view the hardship faced by the people of the Northeast while applying for visas, Sonowal requested Singh to take measures to set up consulates in Assam.
"Gen. Singh, acknowledging the fact, said he would send consul generals of different countries frequented by the people of the Northeast to visit Assam to get first-hand knowledge and take steps to set up consulates to meet the growing demand for visas," said the communiqué.
He said the ministry of external affairs would soon set up its own Regional Passport building in the city.
Sonowal requested Singh to construct the building in such a way that it adds more dimension to the beauty of the city. "In response, Singh assured that the building would be one of the best in the country. He said the interior of the building would reflect the essence of Assam and the exterior would have a global look," the communiqué said.
The duo discussed the potential of the state to be the gateway to the Southeast Asia and strategies to implement the Act East Policy.
Sonowal offered to play host to the next Pravasi Bharatiya Divas in Assam to further showcase the state and give a fillip to its initiatives to promote the region in the global arena.
He requested Singh to maximise the operation of private airlines from Assam to the Southeast Asian countries and develop it as an air hub.
