(a) whether a number of cases of corruption by the passport officials of his Ministry have come to the notice during the last three years and the current year;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether it is a fact that no serious action has been initiated by the Government against such officials;
(d) if so, the details thereof and the reason therefor; and
(e) the corrective measures taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI S. M. KRISHNA)
(a): Yes.
(b): Information is being compiled along the requested lines.
(c): Government has taken action, as required, against errant officials by sanctioning
prosecution by the concerned investigating agencies and by taking appropriate departmental
action.
(d): Information is being compiled along the requested lines.
(e): Government has also taken several corrective measures. These include periodic
surprise inspections, including vigilance inspections, of Passport Offices, and ensuring
greater accountability in the working of Passport Offices.