Union Ministry of External Affairs has effected changes in the validity of rent agreement accepted as a proof of address.
In a statement, the Regional Passport Officer, S. Maniswara Raja, said that hitherto only a registered rent agreement for more than one year period was accepted as a proof of address. However, in order to mitigate the difficulties faced by the passport applicants, the Ministry had issued orders to accept unregistered rent agreements as well as a valid proof.
Meanwhile, the Ministry also changed the rules for seeking reissue of passport for lost passport. Instead of submitting first information report or missing certificate from the police, the applicants can produce lost document report (LDR), Mr. Raja said.
LDR can be generated by uploading the information of lost passport in the Tamil Nadu Police Department portal along with a photo-identity card.
However, this procedure is restricted only for those passports that went missing in Tamil Nadu.
Currently, prints of all 10 fingers of the applicants are taken through biometric finger scanners at the Passport Offices and Passport Seva Kendras. However, it is noticed that infants face lot of inconvenience in taking the finger prints. Hence, the Ministry decided to exempt children below five years from this procedure.
Similarly, disabled persons without fingers would also be exempted, the RPO said.
People can get updates on their passport-related information through WhatsApp — 88701-31225, toll-free number 1800-258-1800.
For status updation and general information people can call 0452-2521204; for complaints and grievances — 0452-2521205; to contact the grievance redressal officer or to get appointment with the RPO- 0452-2520795.
