Government proposes e-passports in ordinary category
Thursday 6 December 2007

New Delhi, Dec 6 (ANI): The Government has proposed to introduce e-passports in the ordinary category, after a pilot project for diplomats by mid-2008. 

Also known as bio-metric passports, the e-passports will initially be introduced for diplomats and officials as a pilot project by the middle of 2008, Minister of State for External Affairs E. Ahamed told Rajya Sabha today. 

"Based on the experience gained from this pilot project, it is proposed to start issuance of e-passports in the ordinary category," Ahamed added. 

"Incorporation of bio-metrics in the passports will make them more secure against forgeries and will also further strengthen prevention of issue of multiple passports," he said. 

The National Institute of Smart Government (NISG), Hyderabad, undertook a time-bound study on the passport issuance system, including its IT aspects with the objective to deliver passport related services to the citizens in a timely, transparent, more accessible and reliable manner.  

NISG report has been accepted by the Government, Ahamed said, adding that it has been decided to launch "Passport Seva Project". 

After the implementation of the project, the passports are expected to be issued within three days, and in cases which require police verification, within three days after the completion of the verification. 

The "Tatkal" passports, which are needed by applicants for their specific urgent purposes, are expected to be issued the same day, Ahamed said. (ANI) -AJ