Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 5: Keeping in view the ease and expediency of common applicants hailing from far-flung areas, Regional Passport Office Jammu has decided to resume operation in all its three Post Office Passport Seva Kendra’s (POPSKs) at Udhampur, Kathua and Rajouri from Oct 6, 2020.
Work of these POPSKs remained suspended from March 24, 2020 because of COVID-19 induced lockdown.
However, keeping in view the Standard Operating Procedure (SOPs) and precautionary measures issued by the Govt in order to curb spread of COVID-19 pandemic, all applicants/persons visiting POPSKs are advised to wear a face covering mask, carry sanitizer, maintain physical distance and download & install Arogya Setu App in their own registered mobiles.
“As we all will have to work and live amid heightened risk of raging Corona disease, cooperation of all applicants in this regard is highly solicited,” said N.K Shill, Regional Passport Officer (RPO) Jammu adding that appointments in these three POPSKs have already been released for public and applicants may start booking their slots.
“They may submit the Passport Application Forms online for ‘Fresh/Re-issue of passport under normal category and book prior appointment before visiting these Passport Seva Kendras,” Shill said.
He informed that applicants may log on to the Passport India website www.passportindia.gov.in or mpassport seva app to fill and submit the application form online, make payment of passport fee online through debit/credit card or internet banking of State Bank of India (as mentioned on the website).
The RPO Jammu informed that as before, these sub passport offices will remain open between 9:00 am to 5.30 pm (with half an hour lunch recession between 1 pm to 1:30 pm) on all working days from October 6, 2020.
He also said that officials will scrutinize applications and verify essentials documents and only applications under the ‘normal’ or ‘reissue’ category’ found complete in all respect will be entertained for processing.
“Appointments would be allotted by the system on first come first serve basis as per availability. Applicants with appointments of that day will only be allowed entry to Passport Office,” Shill said.
A handout of the Passport Office stated that applicants who have booked appointments for the day require to visit the Passport Office in person for application processing, biometrics (finger prints etc), capturing of photographs on the designated time and day of appointment, the applicants along with ARN (Appointment Reference No.) and original documents (photocopies thereof) must visit respective Passport Seva Kendra for having their Passport applications processed.
It further informed that for more details pertaining to passport services, passport India website www.passportindia.gov.in may be accessed or calls can be made to the national Call Centre toll free number 1800-258-1800 & 0191-2451085.
RPO Jammu also said that applicants especially those coming under the category of Hajj/Umrah, senior citizen, minor, disabled, illiterate, young students/job aspirants/professionals hailing from remote areas don’t have to come all the way to Jammu. It will help them to get their services in an easy, comfortable, convenient and quick manner at their doorstep.
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