Lok Sabha Question No. 860 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-07-26
Subject: Procedure for Issue of Passports
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri M K Raghavan, Shri M K Raghavan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No-860 ANSWERED ON- 26/07/2024 PROCEDURE FOR ISSUE OF PASSPORTS

## 860. SHRI M K RAGHAVAN

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :(a) whether Government has noticed that there is a huge delay in receipt of passports through post offices in India and if so, the details thereof; (b) the steps being taken to expedite the issuance of passport through post offices; (c) whether the Government has simplified procedures for issuance of passports and if so, the details thereof; (d) whether any new passport seva kendras are being planned in Calicut Parliamentary constituency, if so, the details thereof; (e) whether the Government has any special insurance mechanisms for the Indian diaspora working abroad and if so, the details thereof and the total amount of compensation granted under the same; and (f) whether the Government has observed that overcrowded labour camps are operating in foreign countries and if  so, the details of  step taken to

- ensure that no Indian lives are lost due to such overcrowded labour camps?

## ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a   &   b)   The   processing   time   of   Passport   applications   vary   in   various jurisdictions   and   any   backlog   is   addressed   by   responsive   measure. Applicants can apply for appointment online through the Passport Seva portal and schedule an appointment to visit the designated Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) to complete the necessary formalities. At POPSKs,   photographs,   biometrics,   and   supporting   documents   are electronically captured. After ensuring completeness of the applications in all respects, further processing of the applications is done at the respective Regional Passport Offices, as per procedures and rules. Immediately upon receipt of clear police verification report, passports are issued in a timely manner and subsequently, delivered to the applicants efficiently.

(c) The Government has simplified the passport issuance process in several ways. To streamline, liberalise and ease the process of passport issuance, the Ministry has taken several steps to simplify passport policy, benefitting citizens of India in applying for and obtaining a passport.

The Passport portal (www.passportindia.gov.in) is user friendly, accessible to anyone, from anywhere and anytime in India. An applicant can apply for passport from anywhere in India. This citizen-friendly initiative has enabled

applicants to choose the Passport Office (PO) and thus the desired PSKs/ POPSKs under the Regional Passport Office (RPO)   where they wish to submit their application , irrespective of whether the present residential address specified in the application form lies within the jurisdiction of the selected   RPO   or   not. Citizens   can   also   apply,   pay   and   schedule appointments for passport services on mPassportSeva mobile app, and do not require access of computer and printer to apply for passport services. The mPassport Seva mobile app enables users to apply, pay and schedule appointments   for   passport   services.   It   also   provides   passport   related information,   including   the   location   of   PSKs/POPSKs,   applicable   fees, submission methods and tracking of passport application status on a smart phone. Ministry's mPassport Police App is being used by Police authorities for verification of antecedents of the applicants in a paperless digital flow. Further, DigiLocker has been successfully integrated with the Passport

Seva   Programme   (PSP)   system   enabling   citizens   to   submit   various documents required for passport services through DigiLocker in a paperless mode. For speedy issue of Passport there is a 'Tatkaal Scheme'. In order to make   passport   issuance   process   more   inclusive,   for   the   transgender community, the Government has issued guidelines to accept Certificate of Identity/ Identity Card, issued under the Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act, 2019 for the purpose of change of name and gender in passport following change of gender from male to female or vice versa.

(d)   There   is   one   PSK   operational   in   the   Calicut/   Kozhikode   Lok   Sabha Parliamentary Constituency under RPO Kozhikode in Kerala. (e)  The   Pravasi   Bharatiya   Bima   Yojana   (PBBY)   is   a   scheme   aimed   at safeguarding   the   interests   of   Indian   emigrant   workers   falling   under Emigration Check Required (ECR) category going for overseas employment to ECR countries. PBBY provides mandatory insurance for all Emigration Check  Required   (ECR)   category   workers   going   to   ECR   countries.   The scheme provides an insurance cover of INR 10 Lakhs in case of accidental death or permanent disability and other benefits at a nominal insurance premium of INR 275/- for two years or INR 375/- for three years validity.  The revised   PBBY   scheme   effective   from   August,   2017   provides   insurance coverage   for   both   ECR   and   ECNR   passport   holders   and   has   made settlement of claims simpler for the benefit of emigrant workers. To avail the PBBY by ECR passport holders going to ECR countries, registration is compulsory and is done by Recruiting Agencies. ECNR passport holders are required to register themselves on e-migrate portal to avail the facility of PBBY. The registration on e-migrate portal is mandatory requirement for insurance   companies   to   issue   PBBY   policies.   The   e-migrate   portal facilitates on-line renewal of PBBY policy within 30 days of its expiry. The PBBY now provides for: (i) Global coverage irrespective of change of employer, employee's location and place of work,

(ii)   Acceptance   by   insurance   companies   of   certification   of   accidental death/permanent   disability   by   Indian   Missions/Posts   abroad;   and (iii) Facility for online renewal and copy of insurance policy is to be made available to the nominee(s). As per information received from the insurance companies, under the PBBY scheme, from November, 2022 to May, 2024 an amount of Rs 2,47,73,515/has been paid by the insurance companies in settlement of the insurance claim. (f) In consultation with local authorities and social workers, the concerned

Embassy of India/Consulate of India representatives visit labour camps at regular   intervals.   The   concerned   Embassy   of   India/Consulate   of   India representatives   also   arrange   health   check-ups   and   financial   awareness sessions in the labour camps. The improvement in living conditions of Labour is an important issue which is constantly pursued with Employers and Labour camp facility owners/ operators. The concerned Embassy of India/Consulate of  India also coordinates with local authorities for their strict monitoring and implementation of local regulations regarding living conditions in labour camps.

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