Srinagar: Continuing with its record performance during 2012, Passport Office Srinagar rendered around Sixty Thousand (60,000) Passport Services during 2013 (around 250 per day).
Record number of around One Lakh Twenty One Thousand (1,21,000) Passport Services rendered during 2012 and 2013. Passports were issued under Tatkaal Service also which after modifications in the application system became transparent and uniform.
“These are record performances in the history of Passport Office Srinagar and the figures assume significance keeping in view some abnormal situation during the early months of this year and streamlining of Passport Service,” said a statement issued to KNS.
For the convenience of the applicants and to reduce the processing period some initiatives taken during the year are new Passport booklets with Ghost Image or Letter Screening Image were introduced to overcome smudging problems. This has also provided an additional overt security features to protect travel documents against tampering and unauthorized personalization.
“Online downloading of Personal Particular Forms by the concerned verifying agencies. The physical movement of Personal Particular Forms from the Passport Office to the concerned was done away with as a result of which substantial reduction in the verification period was observed. Launch of online payment system for Passport applicants to resolve the issue of non-availability of appointments and to reduce no-shows of applicants. This has also eliminated the chances of bogus applicants. The applicants are taking advantage of dedicated time slots, dual facility of monitoring to cross check their details at the time of processing and relief from after visits which were tortuous.”
Grievance handling became easy and instant. The applicants can now track the disposal of their complaints/passport applications without physically visiting Passport Office.
The delivery of Passports to the applicants in coordination with the General Post Office Department J&K also showed remarkable improvement.
Around Twenty One Thousand six hundred and Ninety Seven (21,697) number of Hajj applications were received till 30-03-2013 for Hajj 2013 as per the State-Wise data. The issuance of such number of Passports was possible due to all possible efforts by the officials of Passport Office Srinagar who attended duties even on off days during the said period. To cope with the rush, two day Passport Mela was held on 09th & 10th March 2013. Passport Adalats were also held on 23rd and 30th October 2013.Continuing with this in 2014 around 25000 Hajj Applications were received by State Hajj Committee for Hajj 2014 in respect of applicants falling within the jurisdiction of Passport Office Srinagar which clearly reflects the performance and efforts of this Office in facilitating hassle-free service to Hajj aspirants. A Passport Mela was also held on March 1, 2014 in this regard.
In addition to the issuance of Passports, Passport Office Srinagar in coordination with all concerned made all efforts to have the hassle-free crossings at LoC at Kaman, Uri (Srinagar- Muzaffar Abad Bus Service) and Teetwal Karnah during the year. The Srinagar-Muzaffarabad bus plied uninterruptedly.
The applicants are requested to visit the website www.passportindia.gov.in for online appointments and other information relating to Passport Services. Members of public are also advised to desist from dealing with touts/agents who may be charging exorbitantly for their services and further may be making false promises about arranging assured urgent appointment or faster Passport Service delivery. The Government has not authorized any intermediary/representative to undertake such activity or to give such assurances. Such incidents of harassment/influence by them may be reported to the concerned Passport Office.
After the launch of Passport Seva Kendras, the appointments are available to general public through the website mentioned above. Alternatively, certain categories of applicants are allowed to walk-in without appointment, details of which are also available on the website. However, the appointments are allowed keeping in view the available resources and the pre-appointment figures. Applicants falling under this category are therefore expected to attend Passport Seva Kendra Srinagar preferably by 09:30 AM on the working days. Applicants are also requested to visit Passport Office as per appointment date/time for availing satisfactory Passport Services. (KNS)