April 7, 2017
Vivek Gupta speaks on the delay in the delivery of passports
FULL TRANSCRIPT
Sir, it is shocking to know is that almost 28 lakh passports are undelivered and there is no status shown in the dashboard of the Ministry. Another shocking fact is that 62 lakh passports are shown to be pending. Thirty-five per cent of police verifications are taking more than 180 days. The CAG report has also mentioned that police verification reports are taking time because there is no electronic connectivity provided to the passport offices. It is taking more than 71 days to process a passport. Sir, all this data is pointing to one thing, that there is something not correct at the Passport Kendras.
Although the Government collects more than Rs 10 crore as total fees per month through these Passport Kendras to process the passports, the consumers are not getting any service or delivery. Sir, through you I would request and urge the Hon. External Affairs Minister to look into the matter, order some inquiry and find some solution so that people get some relief. Sir, 2 lakh passports have been received as delayed and yet no compensation has been given. Thirty-seven Passport Kendras point out that they have the capacity to process only 12 lakh passports. Sir, the capacity needs to be augmented. Through you, I would request the Hon. Minister to do the same.
