Passport Seva Kendra to come up in Nellore

Tirupati: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has resolved to step up its outreach programmes like conducting camps to reach out to more and more people seeking passport, to make the process of application and delivery of passport much easier and transparent, said Dnyaneshwar M Mulay, Secretary, Consulate, Passport Visa and Overseas Indian Affairs.

Speaking to the media at the Passport Seva Kendra, Tirupati, on Friday, Mulay said renewed efforts would be made to reach out to students by conducting special camps `students connect’ in colleges, universities and educational institutions to encourage them to obtain passport, as part of MEA new people’s centric approach.

Mulay who was here after participating in a special passport camp for scientists working in ISRO at Sriharikota earlier in the day, observed that passport was hitherto considered luxurious and confined to educated and elite but now it has become essential as an item of identity and also the one that opens up new vistas for education, employment, tourism, entertainment and many more.

He said the MEA is constantly reviewing the process of application and delivery of passport to make it easier.

The move to utilise the infrastructure of India Post for passport application and delivery was to focus on extending the service to more people, he pointed out citing the introduction of the new facility at Mysuru post office.

A new Passport Seva Kendra will soon come up in Nellore, he said, adding that he would meet the Chief Ministers of the two Telugu speaking States in Hyderabad to explain the facilities being made by MEA for the safety of those going abroad for any purpose and how those staying abroad approach Indian Embassies for any help.

About Tirupati Passport Seva Kendra, he said that about 650-750 applications were being received every day for passport and expressed satisfaction over the services at the centre.

Answering a question on preventing innocent people falling victims to unscrupulous agents, Mulay underlined the need of the State playing a pro-active role to stop people seeking jobs abroad from being exploited by unauthorised agents.

On the apprehension following the change of regime in US, he said the ministry is closely monitoring how things are evolving and observed, “We have a strong embassy and five consulates.’’

Regional Passport Officer Ashwini Sattaru was also present.