Lok Sabha Question No. 762 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-29
Subject: Guidelines for Establishment of POPSKs
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Dr. Kalanidhi Veeraswamy

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 762

ANSWERED ON- 29/11/2024

## GUIDELINES FOR ESTABLISHMENT OF POPSKS

## 762. DR. KALANIDHI VEERASWAMY

Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state :-

(a) the current guidelines or criteria followed for the establishment of Post   Office   Passport   Seva   Kendra   (POPSKs),   including   factors considered for their allocation to constituencies across the country; (b) whether the Government is aware that there are no PSK/POPSK in North Chennai as General Post Office (GPO) comes under Harbour assembly and Central Chennai Parliamentary constituency and if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government is also aware that Post Master General (PMG) Chennai has stated that Periyar Nagar Post office has adequate infrastructure to function as a POPSK;

(d) whether the Government is considering the possibility of allowing two   POPSKs   to   be   established   within   a   single   Parliamentary

Constituency to address increasing demand for passport services and if so, the details thereof;

(e)   the   expected timeline for reviewing and potentially revising the current   policy   or   guidelines   to   allow   for   two   POPSKs   in   a   single constituency, if deemed necessary; and

(f) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to ensure efficient   and   accessible   passport   services   to   citizens   across   the country especially in the regions facing challenges?

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

## (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) Ministry  of   External   Affairs  in   association   with   Department   of Posts (DoP) had decided in January 2017 to open Seva Kendras at the Head Post Offices (HPO)/ Post Offices (PO) in the country called Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) in each Lok Sabha Constituency (LSC) where there is no PSK or a POPSK. As on date, 93 PSKs and   442 POPSKs have been set up in the country and are operational to cater to the needs of passport seekers.

(b & c) Department of Posts has proposed space at Post Office, Periyar Nagar in North Chennai Lok Sabha Constituency of Tamil Nadu. The

suitability   of   the   proposed   space   from   technical   side   is   being examined.

(d & e) Once all Lok Sabha Constituencies are covered, a detailed analysis   of   the   requirements   for   PSK/   POPSK   could   be   done   to determine the necessity of more than one POPSK in any Lok Sabha Constituency.

(f)   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,   benefiting   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 juridiction 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 the 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   'Tatkal 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.

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