Lok Sabha Question No. 3357 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-08-05
Subject: Passport Issuing Process
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Sadashiv Kisan Lokhande

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO-3357 TO BE ANSWERED ON 05/08/2022

## PASSPORT ISSUING PROCESS

## † 3357. SHRI SADASHIV KISAN LOKHANDE

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has taken any steps to make         passport issuing process transparent and simple and flawless and if so, the details thereof:

(b) whether   the   Government   has   received   any   complaints   against persons/touts in making passports by providing wrong addresses;

(c) if   so,   the   number   of   such   cases   that   came   to   the   notice   of   the Government during the last three years and the current year; and

(d) the   action   taken/being   taken   by   the   Government   against   such persons/touts and to check such activities?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

(SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN)

(a) Yes.  The Ministry has simplified the passport issuing process. The end  to   end   application   submission   has   been   made   online   including payment   of   fee   and   scheduling   of   appointments   etc.   The   Passport portal (www.passportindia.gov.in) is accessible to anyone, from anywhere and   anytime   in   India.   For   Citizens   living   abroad,   Ministry   has   also launched   another   portal  embassy.passportindia.gov.in  for   submission online   applications.   As   on   date   178   Missions/Posts   abroad   have   be integrated with passport seva system. Citizens can also apply, pay and schedule appointments for passport services on mPassportSeva Mobile App, and do not require access to a computer and printer to apply for passport services. Ministry's mPassport Police App is being used by Police authorities for verification of antecedents' of the applicant in a paperless digital flow. Further, DigiLocker has been successfully integrated with the PSP system enabling citizens to submit various documents required for passport services through DigiLocker in a paperless mode. The Ministry has also taken a number of steps to simplify passport policy and rules making it easier for the citizens to apply and get a passport.

(b) & (c) The year-wise details   of   cases  came   to   the   notice   of   the Government are as follows:

| YEAR             | Number of Passport obtained with wrong address   | Action taken      |
|------------------|--------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
| 2019             | NIL                                              | NIL               |
| 2020             | 111                                              | IMPOUNDED/REVOKED |
| 2021             | 158                                              | IMPOUNDED/REVOKED |
| Up to July, 2022 | 54                                               | IMPOUNDED/REVOKED |
| Total = 323      | Total = 323                                      | Total = 323       |

(d)    Legal action has been taken by local police in the above mentioned cases against the touts/agents involved. Further, Special Police drives are carried out against the touts/agents. Public Notices are also issued on regular basis and circulated on Social Media advising applicants to be careful against such touts / agents.  Standees / display boards have also been kept in Passport Offices to spread information on such activities of agents/touts.

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