'People need to be aware of rights'

The passport office recently decentralised the application process. However, people we spoke to said that the five new centres have not been of much help, and they had to bribe officials to have their applications considered. Here is an interview with KG Shah, Asst passport officer.

The passport office recently decentralised the application process. However, people we spoke to said that the five new centres have not been of much help, and they had to bribe officials to have their applications considered. Here is an interview with KG Shah, Asst passport officer.

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What steps can or have been taken to ensure that your initiative bears fruit?
Applicants who face any trouble at any of the five centres can submit their forms, with the required documents, at the Worli Passport Office. If any officer, from any of these centres, is asking for money to get work done, people can approach the senior police inspector and complain against the erring officer.

There have been complaints about agents asking 'proxies' to stand in the queue at the head office at Worli. What steps can be taken to curb this menace?
By rule, nobody is allowed to enter the hall before the time mentioned on the passport application form. But still if any applicant comes across such proxies, he should immediately approach the Complaint and Grievance Officer, B Rokade who sits in the New Passport Office at Bengal Chemicals Bhavan, Worli. I assure you that prompt action will be taken.

If an applicant is asked to shell out an amount over and above the legal fees, how can he or she report the matter to higher authorities?
Only the amount mentioned in the form is supposed to be paid by the applicant. No extra money is to be asked from the applicant. If anybody demands anything extra, he should be reported to the Complaint and Grievance Officer. The application process is systematised, but people need to be aware of their rights.