‘Stop fingerprinting of infants for passports’

Appeal to Sushma to change mechanism

A Kolkata businessman and social activist has written to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj requesting that a mechanism be worked out to issue passports for infants in such a manner that they are not exposed to any medical risk of infection when parents take them for “fingerprinting” to Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs).

When contacted, a government source familiar with developments said even infants need to be physically taken to PSKs to capture their biometric details and photograph. The source added that as per rules if a doctor certifies that an infant is highly prone to infection in certain cases, then exemptions may be given from physical appearance subject to submission of a medical certificate.

In his letter, Kolkata businessman Sundeep Bhutoria has said: “I am writing this letter to bring to your notice an important aspect pertaining to the process of issuing passports to infants. I would like to draw your kind attention to the fact that, as per the extant norms, an infant born in India has to be taken to the Passport Seva Kendra office in order to comply with the formalities of getting a passport done. This is a very worrisome experience for those parents who find themselves in a situation where they need a passport for their days-old infant. It is also fraught with consequences as the infants are susceptible to diseases and infections and the risk of contracting it is very high. Since the PSK offices are visited by too many people, maintaining a proper sanitised environment conducive for the infants is not always possible.”

“In light of the fact stated above, I request you to kindly take up this matter and work out a mechanism to issue passports for infants in such a manner so that they are not exposed to any risk. I also feel that there is a need to re-evaluate the necessity of fingerprinting newborns and work out viable alternatives,” Mr Bhutoria wrote.