Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 22: Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has approved setting up of a Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) at Head Post Office Kathua and the same will be inaugurated on February 24.
Informing this today, Regional Passport Officer (RPO), Jammu, NK Shil, said, “In Jammu division, it will be the second Post Office Passport Seva Kendra (POPSK) after Udhampur. 60 appointments per day have been released and it will be considered for increase depending upon the surge in demand for passports”.
He said now applicants would be able to submit their applications and complete the documentary formalities at this Passport Seva Kendra. “However, the PSK will be operationalized with effect from February 26 but now applicants from Kathua district can apply and book appointment slot in advance. The facility of having their applications processed at the POPSK will be available only from February 26. Applicants from nearby areas of Udhampur and Doda districts will also be able to avail their services”, he added.
The RPO further stated that this new POPSK will function as an extended counter of the Regional Passport Office Jammu. As usual this Passport Seva Kendra will remain open 5 days in a week except Saturday, Sunday and closed holidays from 9 AM to 5.30 PM.
He said the opening of POPSK at Kathua will immensely benefit around 12 lakh citizens of Kathua and its two adjacent districts, as they don’t have to travel all the way to Jammu to obtain passport related services. It will cut down the waiting period in the appointment cycle and speed up processing of applications and delivery of passports.
The officer further added that after opening of the new service centre at Kathua, third POPSK in the Jammu region would be launched at Rajouri on March 2.
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