Dharna against delay in issuing passports

Nizamabad: Resenting inordinate delay in issuing passports, several people staged dharna at the Passport Office in the town on Wednesday. The agitators also raised slogans condemning the irregularities at the office. Despite having necessary certificates, the local officers have been delaying the issue of passports to the applicants on petty grounds, the candidates who had applied for passports complained. Mr. Satish, of Madhavnagar in Jakranpalli mandal, said that police who come to verify the residential addresses of the applicants collect Rs 300 to Rs 500 from each applicant. Those who fail to pay the money would not get the passport. Even after paying the `mamools,' the applicants are not getting the passports in time. He also said that his father was working in Qatar and his mother wanted to go there. Visa and other documents in original were ready and the copies were submitted at Passport Office. He has been making rounds to the office; but could not get the passport. Another applicant Sankar said that he had submitted the copies of voter ID, driving licence and other documents. He has been making rounds to the office for more than 10 days; but was not getting the passport. Raju, Ravinder Reddy and several others also made similar complaints. They also alleged that the officials at the local passport office have been indulging in irregularities and were ignoring the pleas of applicants.