In a step towards simplifying the process of police verification, the Tamil Nadu police are mulling activating the mPassport Police App developed by the Ministry of External Affairs for speedy disposal of verification certificates that will help in issuing passports within 72 hours from the time of application.
According to police sources, MEA officials headed by the Regional Passport Officer K. Balamurugan gave a presentation to Director-General of Police Ashok Kumar and other senior officials at the police headquarters here on the effectiveness of the mobile application that States like Telangana had implemented successfully.
The mPassport Police App would enable police to access real-time data of applicants, whose verification has been sought by the MEA for issue of passports. Designed on Android platform, the application would facilitate field verification and submission of reports online. Since the facility comes with Global Positioning System (GPS), the police can confirm and capture the applicant’s address digitally and create record of their visits. Verification reports could be generated and submitted online within 24 hours, the sources said. Mr. Balamurugan says issue of a fresh passport takes at least 20-25 days at present from the date of application. At least 8,000 new passports are issued every day in Tamil Nadu and Chennai region, comprising nine northern districts and the Union Territory of Puducherry. “Police verification involves at least three pages per passport which means about 24,000 papers get printed and used each day. The mobile application we want to introduce is a paperless process. All it needs is an Android platform with 3G or 2G to activate this facility…the police verification process is done in a day or two,” he said.
Passport authorities refer details of all fresh applicants (above the age of 15 years), reissue (three years after expiry) and a few other cases for police verifications. The mobile application could be downloaded and activated on any smart phone or tablet with Android platform.
“This is also a revenue spinner for the State. As of now the Government of India gives Rs. 150 for police verification done in 21 days. Where the process of verification exceeds 21 days, the amount is cut to Rs. 50 per application. In 2014, Tamil Nadu earned Rs. 7.7 crore for police verifications done within the specified time and lost about Rs. 2.7 crore for delay in processing. With this application, the question of delay does not arise,” Mr. Balamurugan said.
The Android app would
enable access of real-time data of applicants
