LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3326
TO BE ANSWERED ON 05.08.2022
PASSPORT SERVICES THROUGH POST OFFICES
3326. SHRI VINOD L. CHAVDA
Will the Minister of EXTERNAL AFFAIRS be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Government holds data regarding the total number of Passport holders in India;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State-wise; and
(c) the details of Passport related facilities being availed of by the citizen through Post Offices?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
[SHRI V. MURALEEDHARAN]
(a) & (b) Yes. State-wise details of Passports holders are at Annexure I
.
(c) The Ministry in association with Department of Posts (DOP) had announced in January, 2017 opening of Post Office Passport Seva Kendras (POPSKs) at the Head Post Offices (HPO)/Post Offices (PO) in each Parliamentary constituency where there is no Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) or Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK). Citizens can apply for issue of normal Passports through these POPSKs. POPSKs are established in remote locations and small towns in the Lok Sabha constituencies away from the State capitals, thereby bringing passports services closer to the citizens and making it easier for citizens to obtain Passports.