The Centre’s decision to bring all the districts under the purview of Regional Passport Office (RPO) in Visakhapatnam, instead of Vijayawada, drew sharp criticism from politicians and civil society organisations.
“It’s a meaningless decision. How can the Centre do that when Vijayawada is all set to witness a flurry of activity after the State government’s announcement to develop the proposed capital here?” asked former CPI MLA K. Subbaraju. He spearheaded a movement in the 80’s under the aegis of Vijayawada Passport Office Protection Committee demanding the Centre reopen the passport applications receiving centre after it was shutdown owing to poor response.
According to Mr. Subbaraju, applicants from Anantapur, Kadapa and Chittoor districts have to travel more than 700 km to reach the RPO in Visakhapatnam for passport-related works. “It will be a Herculean task for people from these three districts, especially women, to go to Visakhapatnam. They have to spend at least three days to complete their work,” he said. He also wrote a letter to Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu in this regard.
The upcoming capital is centrally located and easily accessible for everyone as there is better air, road and rail connectivity to all the districts in the State. Presently, the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) on Bandar Road here is catering to the needs of locals applicants. After a few months, the eight districts - Anantapur, Chittoor, Kadapa, Kurnool, Nellore, Krishna, Guntur and Prakasam - will soon be transferred to the passport office in Visakhapatnam due to bifurcation.
The RPO in Visakhapatnam is, presently, dealing with five coastal districts -- Visakhapatnam, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, East and West Godavari districts. He claimed that a representation was already submitted to the Ministry of External Affairs in 2014 requesting to set up a RPO here.
Tax Payers’ Association secretary M.V. Anjaneyulu found fault with the Centre’s decision. “It will be beneficial to everyone if the RPO is established in Vijayawada. We will meet elected representatives from the region soon to exert pressure on the government to re-consider its decision,” he added.
It will be a Herculean task for people from Anantapur, Kadapa and Chittoor districts to go all the way to Visakhapatnam for passport-related work.
K. Subbaraju
Former MLA
