(a) the time-frame laid down for issue of passports;
(b) whether issue of passports are being inordinately delayed by the various Regional Passport Offices;
(c) if so, the number of passports which have been delayed for more than four months during the last three years
and the current year and the reasons therefor; and
(d) the steps taken to streamline the working of Regional Passport Offices and ensure delivery of passports to
the applicants without any hassles?
THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS (SHRI S.M. KRISHNA)
(a) The time target for issue of fresh passports is 30 days, subject to receipt of police verification report
and 15 days for re-issue of passports.
(b) There have been instances of delay, which are mainly on account of delay in receipt of police verification
reports, incomplete/incorrect information furnished by the passport applicants and staff shortage in a few
Passport Offices.
(c) Information is being collected.
(d) The Government has taken several steps from time to time including :
(i) special drives to eliminate pendencies;
(ii) expediting police verification process by following up with Police authorities;
(iii) expanding the categories of applicants who can get passports on post issuance police verification basis;
(iv) re-issue of passports without police re-verification in respect of applicants who have clear police reports
in respect of existing passports and nothing adverse against them in passport records.
(v) issue of passports to senior citizens, and minors without police verification subject to completion of
certain formalities; and
(vi) holding of Passport Adalats/camps at regular intervals by Passport offices to dispose of delayed
passport cases.