Computers, Tata Consultancy Services, online submissions of
forms etc sounds fabulous. Those who manage get through the process are
fortunate. They I believe are a very small minority.
Online submission is great for those who have access to
computers . My wife had submitted an application on the 16th of
February, 2013. The next step was to get an appointment with the PSK (Passport
Seva Kendra). We had login at 6 p.m. and solve a captcha and then click for a
date and time. Even before one can look for a convenient date, the window
closes and appointments for the day are over.
We have been faithfully trying to get an appointment since
the 16th of Feb. Finally my wife decided to apply for a Tatkal
Passport. We were thrilled when we got an appointment for the 18th
March morning. As per the India Passport website my wife organised all the
documents needed and visited the PSK
only to be told that there was a problem with the verification certificate and what
was the problem, the stamp of the signing officer was not partly on her
photograph. Next, came big news where was the bank statement for the past year?
My wife protested and said that this was not mentioned on the India Passport
website and pat came the answer, the website is not up to date.
Now the website also states that a Tatkal applicant can
either take a verification certificated from a Civil Servant or carry 3 of 16
documents listed on their website. When my wife produced her Driving licens,
Voter ID and PAN card again, the response was that this does not work any more.
In other words, what is provided on the Passport website cannot be relied upon. Thousands of people
visit the Passport Kendras on a daily basis and have to go back again simply
because the website was not updated or some rubber stamp was put slightly off
the mark.
While this modern facility is great for a lucky few,
thousands spend a whole lot of time
1.
Trying to get an appointment
2.
Repeatedly trying to go back with appropriate
documents
Why won’t people of the country want to use touts to get
their work done? The sad thing is as a citizen, there is no where to turn for
help.
Dreaming for a modern and progressive India
George
