Passport seva kendras - A boon or bane

ALAPPUZHA: The Ministry of External Affairs had recently opened the Passport Seva Kendras with private participation in various centres across the state to reduce the overload at passport offices and provide better service to the applicants. But, early indications are that the efforts of the government are in vain as the seva kendras have created more troubles to the applicants.
Now, the applicants are running from pillar to post to get the passport on time.
The ministry had opened three seva kendras under the Ernakulam Regional Passport Office - Aluva, Karingachira and Alappuzha.
According to the new system, the applicants should register online.
After the submission of the online application, one should produce the necessary documents at the seva kendras for verification.
Later, the processed application will be sent to the regional office for passport printing.
An applicant from Thrissur said: “I registered tatkal application on April 17 with the help of a travel agent who charged `500 and got the appointment date only on April 24 at Alappuzha seva kendra.