Belagavi now included in the list Prospective Additional Passport Seva Kendra
On August 8, 2016 we had made a story No passport office for Belagavi as no Request received – MEA. This story was based on the RTI made by AAB to MEA.
After the story was published the Corporation which was made to wake up by the Past presidents Council, chamber Of Commerce And Industries, Belgaum.
The forum met the Mayor and asked her to write to the MEA about the need of a Passport Seva Kendra in Belagavi.
In reply to this letter of the Mayor, Shri. Arun Chatterji ,Joint Sec PSP & Chief Passport Officer the “ Ministry Of Externnal Affairs” New Delhi has written a letter dated 19.09.2016
The MEA has initiated the process of conducting a comprehensive study for the expansion of the existing Passport seva kendra project & Belagavi has been included in the list of prospective additional Passport seva kendras to be opened in the country.
In the mean time RPO Bengaluru is being requested to to organise a Passport Seva Camp at Belagavi.
According to Satish Tendolkar of the Past presidents forum,
Now as per the records as on 20.09.2016 alone in Belagavi district more than 2800 plus applications are pending.
Before 2006 a Pass Port Seva Kendra with a trained officer was established in Belgaum S P office but unfortunately it was again shifted to Hubli. Now with this new era we would like to request you to bring back the old glory to Belgaum by initiating a Pass Port Seva Kendra at Belgaum Muncipal Corporation. Presently the Police Commissionerate is also started in Belgaum which is a add on qualification to demand the Pass Port Seva Kendra in Belgaum.
The citizens movement behind this initiative is also to be lauded. When the elected representatives dont bother much the citizens must come together file RTI’s get info and then act upon.
As a part of the society AAB filed the RTI with the MEA and then the presidents Forum took it forward all for the cause of Belagavi.