<p>The second day of the Passport Mela drew appreciation from passport applicants as the process hardly took 20 to 30 minutes per applicant. <br /><br /></p>.<p>On Sunday, as many as 480 tokens were issued at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) in Koramangala, 850 in Lalbagh, 425 in Marathalli, 301 in Mangalore, 175 in Hubli, all adding up to 2,231 tokens.<br /><br />A number of people, who were vexed with the online application process failing them, were seen walking away pleased on Sunday as the work was over at an unexpected pace. <br /><br />K G Naik, a senior citizen who was at the Regional Passport Office by 9 30 am, had assumed that the process would inevitably stretch till 2 pm. To his surprise, it got over in 20 minutes. He said he made several futile attempts to apply online over the past two months. Naik commended the government as he found the mela very useful.<br /><br /> “Citizens should also actively participate and make use of the services offered by the government. It is not right on our part to criticise the government always,” he said.<br /><br />However, getting the right documents in place was still a problem for several applicants, especially students. <br /><br />Many of the students were unaware that they would have to provide bona fide certificate from the college or lease deed from the paying guest accommodation, for address proof. “I thought my permanent address proof would suffice,” said Sachin, a native of Gulbarga. <br /><br />Those who had accessed to information about the documents required, had come prepared. Many others, ignorant of the process, were afraid even to approach the staff and seek help. “I fear they will fleece me for money. I would rather get the information from other applicants here,” said an applicant. <br /><br />The passport application service offered by BangaloreOne earlier is still popular among people. “The online process is not working for the public as the website always has trouble. BangaloreOne was very convenient. They should bring it back,” said Mahesh, who was in queue for the passport. <br /><br />Since it was the Ministry’s decision to bring in services of Tata Consultancy Service (TCS), it is not possible at the regional level to bring back BangaloreOne.<br /><br /> However, the Speed Post and e-Seva centres could be considered to cater to a wider number of people, as not all have access to computers and can go online,” a senior official at the Passport Office said. Also, if the proposed PSKs in Mysore and Gulbarga start operating, it will reduce burden on the Bangalore office, the official added.<br /><br />At present, 2,675 appointments are being given a day and all the counters are full. The office is also clearing 150-200 tatkal applications every day to clear the rush. <br /><br />K J Srinivasa, Regional Passport Officer, Bangalore, said the documents required vary for each person depending on whether applicant is a student, marital status, native place and date of birth among other things. It would be impossible to put out all these in the form of a list outside the office. <br /><br />Applicants can approach officials at the Passport Office for assistance. Two floor supervisors have been appointed for the purpose, Srinivasa added.<br /></p>
<p>The second day of the Passport Mela drew appreciation from passport applicants as the process hardly took 20 to 30 minutes per applicant. <br /><br /></p>.<p>On Sunday, as many as 480 tokens were issued at the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) in Koramangala, 850 in Lalbagh, 425 in Marathalli, 301 in Mangalore, 175 in Hubli, all adding up to 2,231 tokens.<br /><br />A number of people, who were vexed with the online application process failing them, were seen walking away pleased on Sunday as the work was over at an unexpected pace. <br /><br />K G Naik, a senior citizen who was at the Regional Passport Office by 9 30 am, had assumed that the process would inevitably stretch till 2 pm. To his surprise, it got over in 20 minutes. He said he made several futile attempts to apply online over the past two months. Naik commended the government as he found the mela very useful.<br /><br /> “Citizens should also actively participate and make use of the services offered by the government. It is not right on our part to criticise the government always,” he said.<br /><br />However, getting the right documents in place was still a problem for several applicants, especially students. <br /><br />Many of the students were unaware that they would have to provide bona fide certificate from the college or lease deed from the paying guest accommodation, for address proof. “I thought my permanent address proof would suffice,” said Sachin, a native of Gulbarga. <br /><br />Those who had accessed to information about the documents required, had come prepared. Many others, ignorant of the process, were afraid even to approach the staff and seek help. “I fear they will fleece me for money. I would rather get the information from other applicants here,” said an applicant. <br /><br />The passport application service offered by BangaloreOne earlier is still popular among people. “The online process is not working for the public as the website always has trouble. BangaloreOne was very convenient. They should bring it back,” said Mahesh, who was in queue for the passport. <br /><br />Since it was the Ministry’s decision to bring in services of Tata Consultancy Service (TCS), it is not possible at the regional level to bring back BangaloreOne.<br /><br /> However, the Speed Post and e-Seva centres could be considered to cater to a wider number of people, as not all have access to computers and can go online,” a senior official at the Passport Office said. Also, if the proposed PSKs in Mysore and Gulbarga start operating, it will reduce burden on the Bangalore office, the official added.<br /><br />At present, 2,675 appointments are being given a day and all the counters are full. The office is also clearing 150-200 tatkal applications every day to clear the rush. <br /><br />K J Srinivasa, Regional Passport Officer, Bangalore, said the documents required vary for each person depending on whether applicant is a student, marital status, native place and date of birth among other things. It would be impossible to put out all these in the form of a list outside the office. <br /><br />Applicants can approach officials at the Passport Office for assistance. Two floor supervisors have been appointed for the purpose, Srinivasa added.<br /></p>