In an effort aimed at fostering the spirit of co-operative federalism and promoting the concept of ‘Pradesh-Mein-Videsh’ in the country, Minister for External Affairs Sushma Swaraj on Sunday inaugurated an integrated Common Premises ‘Videsh Bhavan’ for four all subordinate offices of her Ministry, in Mumbai.
Speaking at the inaugural function, Swaraj said: “Fostering the spirit of co-operative federalism, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) shall work in close coordination with State Governments based on concept of ‘Pradesh-Mein-Videsh’. This initiative is a step in direction to make citizen friendly ‘door-step’ service delivery and promote Good Governance”.
“All the services, including passport services, consular services, by the MEA be housed under single roof in Mumbai,” the Minister said, as she reiterated the Government’s commitment for effective and speedy service delivery.
Swaraj said that till 2014, there were only 77 Passport Seva Kendra in the entire country “However, there are now 251 Passport Seva Kendra in the country. Of these, 235 were made functional in last six months,” she said.
The Minister said that rules and Acts have been reviewed and simplified to streamline procedures and make more relevant for the present times.
Emphasising that not only effective but sensitive and responsible approach was taken up by the Government, the minister said that more than 80,000 distressed Indians had been rescued from countries across the world in last three years.
Being a first pilot project, four offices of Ministry of External Affairs in Mumbai --- Regional Passport Office, Protector of Emigrants Office, Branch Secretariat and Regional office of Indian Council for Cultural Relations —have been assimilated and brought under one roof. The newly constructed modern, fully equipped, state – of-the-art office has all amenities for the public at Bandra-Kurla Complex (BKC) in north-central Mumbai.
Speaking on the occasion, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis congratulated the MEA for its initiative. “Mumbai, the economic and financial capital, has one of the strongest diplomatic communities. I am confident that the Videsh Bhavan will strengthen the Government’s relationship with diplomatic community. Students and young entrepreneurs will be benefitted with this integrated service delivery”.
Fadnavis said that technology would enable hassle-free procedures like the police verification and offered his government’s full cooperation the MEA’s new initiative.
Minister of State for Ministry of External Affairs, Gen. (Dr.) V.K. Singh (Retd.) said this integration of regional offices and services was in line with the Government’s motto of ‘Maximum Governance, Minimum Government’.