Lok Sabha Question No. 1032 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-05
Subject: e-Passport  and Consular Services in Tamil Nadu
Ministry: EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Asked by: Thiru D M Kathir Anand

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO- 1032

ANSWERED ON- 05/12/2025

## E-PASSPORT AND CONSULAR SERVICES IN TAMIL NADU

1032. THIRU D M KATHIR ANAND

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

(a)   whether   the   Government   has   initiated   e-passport   and   consular services for large number of people travelling to foreign countries especially the USA, UK, EU countries, Arab, UAE and other Middle East countries and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the total number of persons from Tamil Nadu who travelled to foreign   countries   including   the   said   countries   during   the   last   five years;

(c)   the   effective   steps   taken   by   the   Government   to   mitigate   the problems   faced   by   the   Indians   travelling   and   working   in   foreign countries; and (d) whether the Government has taken any steps to establish adequate facilitation centres for providing services for HAJ pilgrims from vellore Lok Sabha Constituency of Tamil Nadu and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI KIRTI VARDHAN SINGH)

(a) The Government has initiated e-Passport services, at all Regional Passport Offices (RPOs) in May 2025 and at all Indian Missions/Posts abroad in October 2025. Currently, e-passport is issued to all citizens including people travelling to foreign countries such as USA, UK, EU countries,   Arab,   UAE   and   Middle   East   countries.   Moreover,   the Government   has   also   started   'SEWA   -   Indian   Consular   Services System' which is aimed at creating an online platform, enabling Indian

nationals   to   apply   online   for   various   consular   services   at   Indian Missions/Posts abroad.

(b) State-wise data of Indians travelling to foreign countries is not available.

(c) The Government has taken several steps to mitigate the problems faced   by   the   Indians   travelling   and   working   in   foreign   countries through Indian Missions/Posts abroad on top priority. Grievances are responded through various channels like calls, walk-ins, e-mails, social media, 24x7 Helplines and Open Houses. As required, these issues are taken up with the employers and the host government as the case may be, for requisite action. Pravasi Bharatiya Sahayata Kendras (PBSKs) have been set up at Dubai, Sharjah, Riyadh, Jeddah and Kuala Lumpur to provide assistance to Indian workers abroad. Shelter homes for distressed   Indian   nationals   have   also   been   set   up   at   some Missions/Posts. Mission officials visit immigration offices and labour camps   to   address   the   complaints   of   Indian   workers.   Financial assistance to distressed Indians, if necessary, is provided through the Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF). During emergency or crisis

situations, our Missions/Posts abroad pro-actively help distressed/stranded   Indian   nationals   in   terms   of   providing   food, shelter, medicine and helping their return to India. (d) The Government has implemented various measures to facilitate services for Haj pilgrims from India, including those from Tamil Nadu. Key components of these initiatives include administrative branch offices, located in Makkah and Madinah, which serve as centralized hubs designed to address the grievances of pilgrims. These offices act as a one-stop centre, providing essential support and resolving issues efficiently.   Moreover,   the   Indian   Haj   Pilgrims'   Office   (IHPO),   in   its fiduciary capacity and under the guidance of the Ministry of Minority Affairs, functions as the nodal agency for providing services to Indian Haj pilgrims arriving through the Haj Committee of India. The IHPO procures   and   coordinates   various   Haj-related   services   within   the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. In India, the State Haj Committees and the

Haj Committee of India facilitate and support pilgrims during the predeparture   phase.   This   comprehensive   framework   ensures   efficient

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## service delivery and support for Indian pilgrims throughout the Haj season.

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