(a) The number of Regional Passport Offices in Gujarat location-wise;
(b) The number of applications pending in these offices for issuance of Passports;
(c) Whether the Government propose to open more passport offices to meet the requirement of the State; and
(d) if so, the details therof?
THE MINISTER OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS(SHRI YASHWANT SINHA )
(a) The Regional Passport Office at Ahmedabad is presently the only Passport Office in the state of Gujarat.
(b) The number of applications pending at the Regional Passport Office, Ahmedabad as on 08.11.2002 is 37,699. An application is considered pending when the application is complete in all respects and a clear police verification report has been received.
(c&d)It has been decided to open a Passport Office at Surat. Staff for deployment at Passport Office, Surat, have also been earmarked. An accommodation, where the new Passport Office will be located, has now been identified with the help of state Govt. of Gujarat and the modalities for its leasing are being worked out.