(a) whether delay in verification of passports is caused due to corruption in Police department;
(b) if so, the reaction of the Government in this regard;
(c) whether the Government has issued any direction in this regard;
(d) if so, the details thereof; and
(e) the number of police officers and employees against whom action has been taken by the Government for flouting the said directions during the last three years, State-wise?
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI SRIPRAKASH JAISWAL)
(a) to (d): Regional Passport Offices get the antecedents, nationality and residential address of applicants verified through State police authorities before considering issuance of Indian passports. An advisory has been sent on 11th July, 2005 to all States/Union Territories to consider process reengineering for delivering Police Verification Report within a maximum period of three weeks.
(e): No such data is maintained centrally.