May 2010 HIGHLIGHTS: Trial processing of DPC Applications suc- cessfully initiated at Bangalore PSK-1 External Communica- tion activities planned Chandigarh gearing up for Go-Live MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS Passport Patrika Chairman Shri. A.Manickam, JS (CPV) & CPO Editor-in Chief Dr. T. V. Nagendra Prasad, Director (PV) & Project Director (PSP) The Editorial Team Pg 5 Curtain Raiser at PSK Bangalore External Affairs Minister, Shri S.M. Krishna at PSK Bangalore
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May 2010
HIGHLIGHTS:
Trial processing of
DPC Applications suc-
cessfully initiated at
Bangalore PSK-1
External Communica-
tion activities planned
Chandigarh gearing up
for Go-Live
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Passport Patrika
Chairman Shri. A.Manickam, JS (CPV) & CPO Editor-in Chief Dr. T. V. Nagendra Prasad, Director (PV) & Project Director (PSP)
The Editorial Team
Pg 5
Curtain Raiser at PSK Bangalore
External Affairs Minister,
Shri S.M. Krishna at PSK Bangalore
2
From Project Director’s Desk
Dr.T.V.Nagendra Prasad
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Dear Colleagues,
The months of March and April coincide with the traditional new year in many parts of the country (Vishu,
Bihu, Baisakhi, Navroz etc) and brings with it glad tidings. These months have been quite eventful for the
Passport Seva Project as well. Thanks to the efforts of one and all connected to Passport Seva Project.
We had three important events during this period. First, we had the conference of all the RPOs/POs at Ban-
galore wherein all of them were briefed about the Project and the basic design of the PSK. This was fol-
lowed by a visit of Hon‟ble EAM Shri.S.M.Krishna, to PSKs in Bangalore for a curtain raiser event. Lastly
and perhaps most importantly, the Passport Seva Project went live on trial basis. From March 19th to March
31st , over 300 passports were printed and dispatched through the new system. Automatic SMS alerts were
generated by the system and sent to the applicants. The new Index-PAC system was rigorously tested and
results of the new Index PAC system were compared against the results generated with the existing system.
The new system was found to be working satisfactorily.
We believe in treading cautiously. Hence the new system is being tested only on DPC applications. Valu-
able feedback from our staff on the new system is being constantly gathered and incorporated into the soft-
ware. We are conscious that we have a long way to go, but with your encouragement and support we are
making steady progress.
We would be grossly failing in our duty if we do not place on record the tremendous contribution of the
RPO and all officers and staff at Bangalore. The staff besides taking care of the increasing workload of
passport seekers, are also operating on the new system. For this they are devoting extra time on weekends
and beyond the office hours without allowing the pendency to creep up. This is over and above taking care
of the steady stream of visitors from Delhi who have all kinds of onerous project related demands. Hats off,
to the RPO and Staff of Bangalore for this inspirational performance. With such an enthusiastic support and
participation the pilot is expected to be launched very soon. Once again, I request all RPO/POs to contrib-
ute articles/experiences/events or incidents at passport office by email to me so that we can use them to en-
rich the Passport Patrika.
We wish you and your families a great season ahead.
3
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Contents
Project Updates…The story so far 04
Status of the Projects progress
Events
Curtain Raiser at Bangalore 05
RPO Conclave at Bangalore 07
DPC Application Processing at Bangalore 07
Excerpts from statement of External Affairs Minister 08
Efficiency Enhancing Initiative 08
Training Experience 09
Welcome 09
Bidding Farewell 10
Technology Trends 12
National e-Governance Plan 13
Worldwide Information 14
Health Corner 14
Fun Corner 15
Snapshots 16
4
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Major milestones achieved during the journey towards the pilot go-live of the Passport Seva Project
Project Milestones – Pilot
Project Updates...The Story so far
Milestones Achieved
Milestones - Work in Progress
Milestones to be Achieved
TRAINING
Software/Application Training conducted successfully for the Chandigarh Passport Office employ-
ees
SECURITY
Login User id‟s created for all Passport Office employees at pilot locations
Digital Signatures created for Bangalore Passport Office employees
COMMUNICATION
Print Advertorials created for the citizens to launch the Passport Seva Kendra and the new process
Radio Advertisement created for communication to the citizens
5
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Curtain Raiser at Bangalore
The Curtain Raiser event took place on 6th March 2010.It was
the most awaited day when MEA successfully showcased the
Bangalore Passport Seva Kendras and the new Passport Issu-
ance process to the Hon‟ble External Affairs Minister Shri.
S.M. Krishna along with other senior dignitaries from the
MEA including the Additional Secretary (AD & CPV), Shri.
Ashok Tomar. The day started with the External Affairs Min-
ister (EAM) visiting the Sai Arcade Passport Seva Kendra
where he was warmly welcomed the Passport Seva team in-
cluding the RPO Bangalore, officers and staff.
A quick walkthrough of the PSK was organized by the staff to
guide them through the facility and the various operational
zones. A huge local and national media contingent closely
covered every aspect of the visit. The panel then headed for
the PSK Lal Bagh, Bangalore where Shri S.M.Krishna ad-
dressed the Media and the RPO Officials articulating the need
for the reform concerning the Indian Passport Issuance proc-
ess which led to the conception of the prestigious Passport
Seva Project.
He emphasized on the growing profile of India that has led to
anticipation of a larger number of passport applications in the
near future. While the total number of applicants currently is
57 lakh it is expected to reach at least 75 lakhs by 2011 and
that such reforms were essential to provide better services to
the citizens.
He added that the structural reforms in the issuance of pass-
ports would make the process streamlined, uniform, secure,
easy and transparent for citizens, along with applicant friendly
offices. He said that PSP is the flagship project of the Ministry
and everyone is involved in the project
Shri S.M.Krishna at the Token Counter at PSK
Joint Secretary, Additional Secretary, Project
Director & RPO Bangalore greeting EAM
EAM at the Online Kiosk at PSK
Citizen Service Executives at the PSK
6
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
Curtain Raiser at Bangalore Continued...
He mentioned that there would be 77 PSKs across India which
will be fully geared up to meet all kinds of requirement in due
course of time with the sturdy backup of a Data Centre in
Delhi, a Network Operations Centre in Delhi and a Disaster
Recovery Center in Chennai.
He confirmed that in Karnataka, there will be 2 PSKs in Ban-
galore, one each in Hubli and Mangalore which would be
connected real time to the central server and would take care
of the passport requirements of that particular region. Gul-
barga will have a mini PSK which would work exactly as a
PSK. Citizens can take appointments by dialing the national
call center and avail information on the status of the applica-
tion. In order to expedite the entire issuance process the Pass-
port Seva Portal would also be linked to the police headquar-
ters.
Shri S.M.Krishna declared that the pilot location PSKs would
be launched soon as the trial runs have provided the good feed-
back. After successful run of the pilot centers for 3 months, the
rest of the PSKs across the country will be open to public in a
span of 8-10 months. This high profile event was successful
with the efforts of RPO Bangalore under the leadership of Shri
Ravindra and the Media team of TCS.
EAM’s Press Conference
EAM at the PSK Counter
Eternal Affairs Minister addressing the Media
at the Press Conference at PSK
7
DPC Application Processing at Bangalore
MINISTRY OF EXTERNAL AFFAIRS
RPO Conclave at Bangalore
Most RPOs from across the country assembled at Lal Bagh PSK,
Bangalore to have the first hand exposure to the whole process and
the software application. The programme was spearheaded by JS-
CPV Shri. A Manickam. The main aim was to exhibit the PSK func-
tionalities, layout and its operations to the RPOs and seek their feed-
back. Project Director, Dr. T.V.Nagendra Prasad along with
Mr.Rajan Pillai addressed the RPOs. In their briefing, they spoke
about various benefits of the Passport Seva Project along with the
role of TCS and the advantages of Public–Private Partnership
model. The RPOs were taken through a complete cycle of Applica-
tion Processing starting from the filling up of the Application form. A new Passport Application Form was
provided to each RPO for filling in the details which were then taken through the various stages of the Pre-
processing and processing. The entire procedure was demonstrated by first taking the RPOs to the Token
Issuance Counter where tokens were issued on First come first serve basis. Queries of passport officers dur-
ing their walkthrough inside the PSK were clarified. Once the respective tokens were displayed at the LCD
monitor, the RPOs were requested to enter the processing zone to their respective counter for application
processing.
The applications were processed quickly at the CSE counter and the applicants (RPOs) were then escorted
to the waiting lounge near the VO counter. After successful completion of the VO tasks, the RPOs moved
towards the GO counter. The RPOs were satisfied to see the PSK, Lal Bagh. They appreciated the modern
facility and infrastructure constructed for the citizens. The event concluded on a very positive note.
In order to ensure smooth functioning of the Passport Seva system, it was decided to process only DPC ap-
plications initially. Trial run in the Passport Seva system for applications received through DPCs was initi-
ated successfully after the curtain raiser event and visit at the PSK by Shri S.M.Krishna, External Affairs
Minister. Over 2000 forms received from DPCs were sent to PSK for data entry into the Passport Seva sys-
tem. The processed digitized applications were sent to the Verifying Officer at Passport Office for verifica-
tion which were then reviewed by the Granting Officer who took the decision to grant the passport after
perusing the Index and PAC check status through the system and the police verification report. It was also
demonstrated that the Index/PAC results seen by the Granting Officer were frozen in the system.
The new system has the facility to raise objections on the files with missing documents, incomplete infor-
mation etc. These objections may be raised by the Verifying Officer/Granting Officer. In all such cases, an
objection letter is generated and sent to the citizen stating the reason and the corrective action required to be
taken. The Passport Office employees are finding the new system easy to use. They have suggested few
improvements to enhance the usability and efficiency of the system. More than 800 passports have been
printed and dispatched thus far through the system while the others are at different stages of processing.