Following long-standing demands by people of Kumaon division, the ministry of external affairs has finally decided to open a Passport Seva Kendras in Haldwani and Nainital, which will save people from the hassle of travelling to the state capital to get their passport-related works done.
A letter to this effect was sent by union minister for external affairs Sushma Swaraj to Nainital Member of parliament Bhagat Singh Koshyaria few days back, sources said.
In the letter, dated March 31, Swaraj stated, “The decision has been taken under our scheme to open Passport Seva Kendras in post offices. The centres opening under this scheme will be known as ‘Passport Office Passport Sewa Kendra’ (POPSK).”
People too have expressed their happiness over the development. Regional passport office, Dehradun, organises ‘Passport Mela‘ from time to time in various cities of Kumaon division, including Nainital, Haldwani, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar.
Passport office officials also said they were working to reduce appointment cycle to three days from the existing six days. The appointment generated by an applicant can be attended by him within six days.
The team is testing the requisite technical viability needed for organisation of hassle-free passport mela. Applications from ‘Tatkaal‘ category will now also be entertained at the mela. The ‘Passport Seva Kendras’ project has been awarded by the central government for its successful implementation in 2014.
