PIONEER INTERVIEW

Sibash Kabiraj, Regional Passport Officer, Chandigarh says that a slew of measures has been taken by the Chandigarh RPO office for hassle-free passport services to the applicants. Backlogs have been reduced and the procedures have returned to normal and now, passport appointments under regular and tatkal options are available within a few days. The applicants could check and book their passport and PCC appointment directly at www.passportindia.gov.in after applying and making payments online, he says, adding the office has not authorized any institution or individual to provide the services. He advised people are advised to stay away from such persons making false commitments with respect to passport-related services and avail the services directly through official website and portal.

Kabiraj, a 1999-batch IPS officer of the Haryana cadre further says that the applicants who are in urgent/ tatkal need of passports and have all the necessary documents to obtain passports and are not able to get online appointments may approach the Regional Passport Office, SCO 28-32, Sector 34A, Chandigarh with necessary documents and with the online registration number (ARN Number) and "Proof of urgency"  for appointments. The appointments may be given based on the load and capacity of PSK and reason of urgency, he adds.

In an interview with ‘The Pioneer’ Kabiraj talks about measures taken for hassle-free passport services and also answers queries on rules for re-applying for a lost passport, touts, and public redressal system put in place at the local regional passport office.

How many days does it take to get a new passport?

With the active cooperation of the police department and the postal authorities, the regional passport office, Chandigarh is issuing a normal passport within seven days and a Tatkal passport in a day or two.

What are the documents required for a passport?

Documents required for a fresh passport are Address Proof; Latest utility bill such as water or electricity; Latest telephone bill - fixed line or mobile bill; Photo id card issued by election commission; Aadhar card; Rental agreement (registered); In case of minors, passport copy of parent's; Photo passbook of an active bank account; Proof of date of birth among others.

Can senior citizens renew their passports without visiting the passport office?

No, Under the Passport Seva Project system, it is mandatory for all applicants to be physically present at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) along with Application Reference Number (ARN) and all the required documents after submitting the application Online. In general, a new passport can be issued on the expiry, or up to one year before expiry of any passport, which has an initial validity of 10 years.

There are a lot of agents floating around promising to get passports without any documents. They charge exorbitant rates too. Are you aware of this? Are there any measures being taken to weed them out?

The ministry of external affairs and the RPO, Chandigarh periodically issue material, through media, social platforms like Twitter etc, cautioning the public and asking them to be vigilant about agents/brokers and fake websites, while applying for passports. This information is made available in public advisory of the jurisdictional page of RPO, Chandigarh on its official website. Applicants are advised to desist from dealing with touts/agents who may be charging exorbitant amounts for their service and, further, making false promises about arranging assured urgent appointments or faster passport service delivery. Moreover, after the launch of Passport Seva Kendras, the appointments are available to the general public through the website. The government has not authorised any intermediary/representative to undertake such activity or give such assurances.

How can one rectify if the name or surname printed on the passport is different from that on their other documents?

They may apply for re-issue under a change in existing particulars category along with documentary proof. Such files are processed as per the guidelines issued by the ministry from time to time.

What is the redressal mechanism for passport-related issues? How can common people air their grievances to get them resolved?

There is a grievance redressal mechanism at RPO, Chandigarh. Applicants may lodge their grievances or directly walk in and meet the inquiry officer at Passport Office on any working day.

If one couldn’t renew the passport and lapsed two years ago. Should they apply for a fresh passport now or can it be renewed?

When a passport has been issued to a person once, the next passport has to be sought through re-issue, under the ‘validity expired’ category. They may refer to the official website for detailed procedure and documentation.

If anyone is Patna- based (residential address on passport is also Patna) but is stationed at Chandigarh for now. His passport is due for renewal this month. Can he apply for renewal online and submit documents at the Chandigarh office and get a new (renewed) passport at his Chandigarh address? He spends more or less equal time in both cities.

Yes, he may apply for re-issue at the RPO, Chandigarh jurisdiction with his current address as Chandigarh along with current address proof on his name. He may refer to the official website for detailed procedures and documentation.

Around two years ago, Haryana government started a new scheme to facilitate the issuance of passports to the students of final year studying in government and non-government aided colleges across the state. How many passports have been issued for such students so far?

On the direction of the state government, all colleges and universities in Haryana have designated a teacher as ‘passport officer’ on their campuses to facilitate their students in getting the document made. Around 25, 000 passports have been issued so far. Staffs of such education institutes were given training by RPO Chandigarh to help students to fill out forms. Special quota has been fixed at the local passport office for such students in Haryana.

In how many days, verification related to passport is being completed?

Normally, verification is completed in Chandigarh in seven days, Punjab in 12, 13 days and four or five days in Haryana. Verification is being done through the CCTNS project. Now it has been made mandatory.

What is the current status of the e-passport facility?

It will soon start. Work is being done at a rapid pace.

What are other measures being taken to overcome the backlog?

After the third wave of the corona pandemic and the Indian government restarting international flight operations last year, there was a surge in fresh passport applications as well as renewals. Now, the backlog has been reduced. The number of appointments at Passport Seva Kendras in Chandigarh, Ludhiana and Ambala, which provide services to a total of 12 districts in Haryana and 11 in Punjab, including Chandigarh, has now been increased to meet the growing number of applications. In addition to this, Special Passport mela is organized from time to time in Chandigarh, Ambala and Ludhiana to reduce the long waiting period in the appointment cycle for submission of applications. Such special drives are undertaken keeping in view the ease and expediency of common applicants hailing from far-flung areas. Now, passport appointments under regular and tatkal options are available within a few days.

What are the other achievements of the department?

The best passport office award was given to the Chandigarh centre in 2019 and 2021 by the Government of India. For the last four years, this centre has been awarded by the central government for promoting Hindi language. The department provides information related to passports to the applicants in two languages including Hindi.