Punjab, HP, Hry yet to stop physical police verification despite MEA order

CHANDIGARH : Even as it has been three months since the ministry of external affairs (MEA) issued directions to do away with physical police verification for issuing or renewing passports, the authorities concerned in Punjab, Himachal Pradesh and Haryana are yet to implement the order in letter and spirit.

While the passport authorities claim that they have informed the police brass of these states about the instructions, the latter either expressed their inability to implement the same immediately or feigned ignorance.

Some states and the Union Territory of Chandigarh have already done away with the physical police verification.

Sibash Kabiraj, regional passport officer, Chandigarh, said to simplify issuing or renewal of passport and save the applicants from hassle, police verification has been restricted to checking only those with criminal antecedents. “The directives are not to visit the residence of applicants, thereby reducing the processing time,” he said.

Punjab additional director general of police (ADGP, law & order) Ishwar Singh said they are making efforts to implement the directions at the earliest, adding that there will be absolutely no need for physical police verification once the centralised national database on criminals comes into existence.

Haryana director general of police (DGP) BS Sandhu said he was not aware of the directives, saying the officials in the state crime investigation department (CID) might be aware of the same.

Himachal DGP SR Mardi said, “As per the rule, if police fail to send their verification report for a certain days, the passport office can issue the passport. As far as the new directive is concerned I will check the ground status.

“In some places, the police are following the directives,” the passport officer said.