Hyderabad|India|July'2011: The Government of India has sanctioned seven Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) in the State.

Sri S.M.Krishna, Union Minister of External Affairs in a letter to the Chief Minister informed that under the Project, seven PSKs are to be set up in Andhra Pradesh including three in Hyderabad, one each at Vijayawada, Tirupathi, Nizamabad and Visakhapatnam. These PSKs will function under the Jurisdiction of Passport Offices in Hyderabad and Visakhapatnam.

It may be mentioned here that in a letter dated 13th June 2011 addressed to the Union Minister of External Affairs, the Chief Minister informed that a large number of people of Andhra Pradesh are settled abroad in America and in the European Union, besides a large number of students, who go abroad for studies and employment.

Besides this, considerable number of youth visit the Gulf and Arabian countries, on work permits, and remit a significant amount of foreign exchange to the nation.

In view of the above, there is a constant stream of passport seekers in Andhra Pradesh and the services of the Regional Passport Office at Hyderabad, though commendable, is often found falling short of the requirement in view of the heavy load of work.

The passport seekers face severe difficulties and have often to stand in long queues and wait for long periods to receive their passports.

There is a severe need to decongest the passport issue services in Andhra Pradesh so that the difficulties presently being faced by the citizens is eased, the Chief Minister requested and also informed that the Passport Seva Project, conceived by the Government of India, is an excellent solution. The launch of the proposed Passport (3) Seva Centers at Hyderabad, Visakhapatnam, Nizamabad, Vijayawada and Tirupathi will solve the existing problems to a considerable extent. The requested to issue suitable instructions for the early launch of the Passport Seva Centers in Andhra Pradesh, in the best interests of the citizens of Andhra Pradesh.

The Union Minister informed that the establishment of these seven PSKs would cover all the regions in Andhra Pradesh and would help to greatly improve the delivery of passport services to the citizens. He has also stated that as part of the roll out of the Project, the first PSK in the State of Andhra Pradesh is likely to be operationalised in Visakhapatnam by the end of this month. The new building of the Passport Office is also being readied for occupation. The other PSKs in Hyderabad, Nizamabad, Vijayawada and Tirupathi will be launched in phases during August - October 2011. The Union Minister also requested the Chief Minister to advise the State Police authorities in expediting police verification for providing passport-related services in a timely manner and a team of senior officials from the External Affairs Ministry will be convening a meeting with the Director General of Police, Andhra Pradesh in connection with the integration of Passport Seva Project with the Police Verification system. The Union Minister informed that the rapidly increasing demand for Passports could be met only through comprehensive overhaul of the Passport issuance system and undertaken a Mission Mode Project "Passport Seva Project (PSP)" which is currently under implementation.

July.2011