RIGHT TO INFORMATION- Disclosure of information Article 4 (1) (b) of the Right to Information Act, 2005 in

respect of Regional Passport Office, Amritsar.

Article 4 (1) (b) (i): Particulars of organization functions and duties of the Regional Passport Office, Amritsar.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Passport Office, Amritsar started functioning from June, 2008. It caters to Seven District viz Amritsar, Amritsar Rural,
Taran Taran, Ferozepur, Faridkot, Sri Muktsar Sahib, Fazilka. The main office of RPO Amritsar, one PSK and one
POPSK, Ferozepur under its jurisdiction starts their functioning from 09.00am to 5:30pm with lunch break 01:00pm to
01:30pm.

ORGANISATION

This office has a total of 27 Officers and staff members.

The hierarchy at the Regional Passport Office, Amritsar includes the following stages:-
1. Regional Passport Officer
2. Assistant Passport Officer
3. Senior Superintendent
4. Superintendent
5. Assistant Superintendent
6. Senior Passport Assistant
7. Junior Passport Assistant
8. Office Assistant/MTS

FUNCTIONS AND DUTIES

This office deals with the issuance of Passport/travel document to the citizens of 7 districts of Punjab. Powers and duties
of the employees of the Regional Passport Office, Amritsar.

Article 4(1)(b) (ii) of the Right to Information Act, 2005

Regional Passport Officer has been designated as Head of the Offices. For the smooth running of the offices, certain
financial powers have been delegated to them. The financial powers of employees of Passport Office have been detailed
in delegation of financial power Rule. 1978 and subsequent orders issued in reference to the delegation of financial power
rules. These powers may be seen at annexure of delegation of financial rules and passport rules. Other powers of the
officials of Passport Office are derived from the Passport Act. This Act and rules is already on the MEA’s website
www.passportindia.gov.in.

Procedure to be followed in the decision making process, including channels of supervision and authority.

Article 4 (1) (b) (iii) of the Right to information Act, 2005

The Regional Passport Office, Amritsar follows the procedure indicated in Passport Manual 2020 for decision making in
issuance of Passports. The officers from the Superintendent to Regional Passport Officer Level have been designated as
Passport Issuing Authority (PIA) for issuance of Passport and take decisions/actions with the help of Assistant
Superintendent, Senior Passport Assistant and Junior Passport Assistant posted in the section in accordance with Passport
Act, Passport Rules and Passport Manual.

WORK FLOW CHART OF REGIONAL PASSPORT OFFICE, AMRITSAR Passport Applications are accepted at
Passport Seva Kendra located at Passport Seva Kendra, SRK Mall, Mall Road, Amritsar-143001 and Post office Passport
Seva Kendra, Near Sher Shah Walli Chowk, Ferozpuer Cantt for applicants who have appointment on the time and date
slot booked in www.passportindia.gov.in.

1. Counter-A
Scrutiny of Passport Application by TCS Staff/DoP Staff, Receipt of Passport Application, Data verification,
scanning and cash collection by TCS Staff/DoP Staff.

2. Counter- B
Verification of the Passport Application by the Verifying Officer (Government Official).

3. Counter-C
Granting and index checking the Passport application by the Granting Officer simultaneously (Government
Official).

4. Police Verification sent to concern district electronically.

5. Receipt of Police Verification electronically.

6. Printing of Passport

7. Lamination of Passport.

8. Signature of PIAs on Passport

9. Passport delivery at Counter or by dispatch.

 PCC Services are granted and dispatch the applicant address after fresh Police Verification report received.
In other administration matters, Dealing Assistant submits the files to Superintendent who in turn
submits to the Passport Officer If necessary, matter is referred to the PSP Division, Ministry of External
Affairs for final approval. The office also follows the guidelines issued by other departments, particularly
the Cabinet Secretariat at http://www.mpa.nic.in, the Ministry of Parliamentary affairs at
http://www.mpa.nic.in and the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions
http://persmin.nic.in and the Ministry of Home Affairs (Rajbhasha).

Norms set by the Ministry for the discharge of its functions

Article 4 (1) (b) (iv) of the Right to information Act, 2005

The Regional Passport Office, Amritsar discharge of its functions as per the norms lay down by the CPV Division,
Ministry of External Affairs, New Delhi. It is our endeavour that all files are disposed of within the stipulated time frame
for issuance of Passport subject to completion of documentations and usual checks. The norms are available at
http://www.passportindia.gov.in.

For the benefit of citizens, detailed instructions and related information on passport services including on fees and
documents required have been provided on the Portal www.passportindia.gov.in.

Services Citizen Support

Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) The PSKs throughout India provide amenities and services like executive
support, information kiosks, photocopying, food and beverage facilities, public
phone booth, baby-care room, television, electronic queue management system,
ATM facilities and special facilities for differently abled persons.
Information Access, Online Available on ‘Anytime Anywhere’ basis. Citizens can submit their applications
Registration, Application, Fee online through Passport Portal and seek an appointment to visit their nearest
Payment, Appointment and Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) which is generally available within a range of 1-7
Application Status Tracking. working days. However, there could be seasonal and regional variations.
National Call Centre 24x7 Toll Free interactive Voice Response Support, Executive Support from 8
AM to 10 PM available in 17 Indian Languages.
SMS Status Tracking Service Apart from basic free SMSs, Optional premium service is also available at
payment of a nominal fee.
Email based Helpdesk Functioning through Passport Portal for answering Citizen’s queries
mPassport Seva The mobile app is designed for smart phone users, giving Passport related
information and application status.
Passport Mela Passport Mela is generally held as a special measure in Passport Offices/PSKs on
public/closed holidays to facilitate extended hours to citizens for submission of
application.
Passport Adalat Passport Adalats are generally held at Passport Offices to redress long pending
grievances and complex cases.
Passport Seva Kamp Passport Seva Kamps are held for the benefit of applicants, on need basis, at
distant locations from a PSK

Service Delivery Standards and Timelines

As per statutory provisions, on the receipt of an application the PIA, after making such inquiry as it may consider
necessary, shall issue the passport or travel documents or refuse to issue the passport or travel documents. Time limits
given below are subject to Police Verification (PV) or any such inquiry or any other factor which may be beyond the
control of the PIA.

Nature of Service Indicative Timelines Remarks

Fresh (First Time) Passport (Police Up to 30 working days From the date of receipt of complete documentation
Verification required before (PV period excluded) and enrolment and subject to the satisfaction of PIA
issuance) and receipt of clear Police Verification Report.
Fresh (First Time) Passport Up to 7 Working days From the date of receipt of complete documentation
required after issuance or where and enrolment and subject to the confirmation of
PV is not required authenticity of Verification Certificate/Identity
I. Tatkaal Certificate/No Objection Certificate and satisfaction
II. Government/PSU of PIA.
Employee

Re-issue of passport on expiry or Up to 7 working days (In From the date of receipt of complete documentation
on exhaustion of Visa Pages cases where pre-police and enrolment and subject to the satisfaction of PIA
verification is not provided there is no change in personal particulars.
required)
Re-issue of passport due to (a) Up to 7 working days in From the date of receipt of complete documentation
change in personal particulars, cases where pre-police and enrolment and subject to the satisfaction of PIA
and/or (b) in lieu of verification is not and requisite verification/clearances.
lost/stolen/damage/mutilated required and up to 30
passport working days in cases
where PV is required (PV
period excluded).
Miscellaneous Services like Police Up to 3 working days (In From the date of receipt of complete documentation
Clearance Certificate, Surrender cases where police and enrolment and subject to the satisfaction of PIA
Certificate or any miscellaneous verification is not and requisite verification/clearances.
certificate based on passport. required)

Applications are to be submitted online in the prescribed format through the portal www.passportindia.gov.in
followed by a visit to the PSK in person for enrolment, which will involve capturing of biometrics,
photograph and collection of fees, if any. Timelines stipulated, if any, for completion of formalities should be
adhered to by the applicants for time-bound delivery of required service from the PIA.

Applicants are advised to track status of their application before raising any query/grievance,

Grievance Redressal

Any grievance or complaint arising out of any non-compliance of service standards, failure in delivery of service or in the
functioning of a PIA may be logged online at (a) Central Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS)
pgportal.gov.in or (b) www.passportindia.gov.in or (c) registered at toll free No. 1800-258-1800.

Feedback/suggestions

Feedback and suggestions can be given by (i) logging on to Passport portal www.passportindia.gov.in (click feedback) (ii)
calling toll free No. 1800-258-1800 or (iii) writing to Assistant Passport Officer (PG), Public Grievance Cell, Room
No.24, CPV Division, Ministry of External Affairs, Patiala House Annexe, Tilak Marg, New Delhi 110001, Tel. No. 011-
23384519, 23384497, Fax No. 011-23384461, email: [email protected]

Article 4 (1) (b) (v) of the Right to information Act, 2005

Passport Act and Passport Rules:

These are already available on the MEA’s website http://www.mea.gov.in. In addition, the Passport Office also utilizes
the relevant rules, regulations and orders of the Government of India, such as Civil Service Conduct Rules, Central Civil
Service Leave Travel Concession Rules, Central Service Leave Rules, Civil Service Pension Rules, Provident Fund
Rules, General Financial Rules, Fundamental and Supplementary Rules etc. These rules are already in the public domain
as printed priced publications.

The rules, regulations, manuals and records held by it as under its control as used by its employees for discharging its
functions,

In the discharge of its functions, the Regional Passport Office, Amritsar uses various Central Acts, Rules, Codes, and
Regulations etc. It also uses various judgments of the Supreme Court of India and High courts.

In so, far as the administrative side is concerned, it uses the following Rules in the discharge of its functions:-

*Medical Attendance Rules

* CCS (CCA) Rules
* CCS (Conduct) Rules
* General Provident Fund Rules
* Leave Travel Concession Rules
* General Financial Rules, 2005
* Delegation of Financial Power Rules
* House Building Advance Rules
* CCS (Revised Pa) Rules, 1997
* Central Treasure Rules

In addition various Manuals/Circulars etc, issued by our Ministry are also used.

The Administrative side of the office maintains files relating to the following:

1. Appointment
2. Personal File and service book (including leave account) of its employees
3. Court Related litigation files
4. Procurement of Stationary & furniture
5. electricity and Water Bills
6. Republic Day & Independence Day Celebration
7. Purchase and distributions of stationery items
8. Other miscellaneous matter

Article 4(1) (b) (vi) of the right to information Act, 2005

The following documents are held by this office.

 India International Ordinary Passport Booklets
 Official, Diplomatic Passport Booklets.
 Arrangement for consultation with or representation by the Members of the public in relation to formation of
Policies or implementation thereof.
 The matter is being looked after at the level of the MEA.
 Statements of boards, councils, committee and other bodies.

Article 4(1) (b) (viii) of the Right to Information Act, 2005

At the level of this office, one Rajbhasha Kriyanvayan Smiti (Official Language Implementation Committee) consisting
of (6) Members of this office has been constituted to review progress in implementation of Rajbhasha Hindi in day to day
work of this office.

Directory of officers and employees and monthly remuneration as on 25.08.2022.

Article 4(1) (b) (ix) & (x) of the Right to Information Act, 2005
Sr. Name of Officer/Official Designation
No.
1. Sh. Shamsher Bahadur Singh Passport Officer
2. Smt. Vandana Sharma Senior Superintendent
3. Sh. Ved Parkash Senior Superintendent
4. Smt. Alka Rana Senior Superintendent
5. Sh. Raj Kumar Verma Superintendent
6. Ms. Sugandha Khera Junior Translator Officer
7. Sh. Ankit Garg Assistant Superintendent
8. Sh. Sanjeev Kumar Sinha Senior Passport Assistant
9. Sh. Raubins Kumar Senior Passport Assistant
10. Smt. Seema Talwer Senior Passport Assistant
11. Sh. Husan Lal Senior Passport Assistant
12. Smt. Surinder Kaur Senior Passport Assistant
13. Sh. Sanjeet Kumar Senior Passport Assistant
14. Sh. Shiv Prasad Yadav Senior Passport Assistant
15. Sh. Parveen Senior Passport Assistant
16. Sh. Vikash Sharma Junior Passport Assistant
17. Sh.Ankur Junior Passport Assistant
18. Sh. Vikash Junior Passport Assistant
19. Sh. Hariom Khinchi Junior Passport Assistant
20. Sh. Prem Prakash Sagar Junior Passport Assistant
21. Sh. Eugin Minj Junior Passport Assistant
22. Smt. Sarita Junior Passport Assistant
23. Sh. Atul Suhag Junior Passport Assistant
24. Sh. Amit Kumar Junior Passport Assistant
25. Sh. Neeraj Junior Passport Assistant
26. Sh. Joginder Pal Office Assistant
27. Sh. Amit Multi Tasking Staff

In addition to above, 06 Data Entry Operators and 01 MTS are also working with Regional Passport Office.
Details of Pay with Pay Matrix. of officers and staff presently deployed at Passport Office,Amritsar:-

S. No. Category of Officer Pay level as per 7th CPC Matrix

Sr. Category of Officer Pay level as per 7th CPC
No. Matrix
1. Passport Officer 10
3. Senior Superintendent 8
4. Superintendent 7
5. Assistant Superintendent 6
6. Senior Passport Assistant 4
7. Junior Passport Assistant 2
8. Office Assistant/Multi Tasking Staff 1

Budget allocate to each agency, indicating particulars of all plans, proposed expenditures and reports on
disbursements made.
Article 4(1) (b) (xi) of the Right to Information Act, 2005.
S. Head of Accounts Approved Budget Grant for Actual Expenditure Incurred upto
No. year 2022-23. 25.08.2022
1. Salaries 20000000 7950763
2. Wages 0 0
3. OTA 0 0
4. Medical 400000 295846
5. DTE/TA 700000 141907
6. O.E 8000000 3003638
7. Postage Office Exp. 5000000 2015482
8. Minor 7000000 2414673
9. Professional Service 600000 158342
10. IT 300000 53503
11. Swachhta Action Plan 200000 0
11. Grand Total 42200000 16034154
Article 4 (1) (b) (xiii) of the Right to information Act, 2005

Travel Agents are not authorized to submit the Passport applications. Only the passport applications have to appear in
person at Passport Seva Kendra and submit the Passport applications. No travel agent is recognized to deal with this office
with effect from October 2011 to submit application at PSK.

Details in respect of the information, available to or held by it, reduce in an electronic form.

Article 4 (1) (b) (xiv) of the Right Information Act, 2005

All information regarding issuance of Passports and status thereof has been uploaded on website
http://www.passportindia.gov.in.

Article 4 (1) (b) ((xv) of the Right to Information Act. 2005

Citzens can obtain information through the website of the office at http://www.passportindia.gov.in. Apart from this
citizens are provided Passport issuance information sough through Enquiry Counters and also by telephone. Citizens can
also visit the Officers during the office hours on all working days except Wednesday between 09.30 am to 12.00 noon.
Some of the instructions are also displayed on the notice boards of the Passport Office.

The names designations and other particulars of the Public Information Officers.

Article 4(1) (b) (xvi) of the Right to Information Act. 2005.

Appellate Authority:-
Shri Shamsher Bahadur Singh, Passport Officer, Plot No. 9, District Shopping Centre, Ajanla Road, Ranjit Avenue,
Amritsar. Phone No. 0183-2506252 Fax No. 0183-2502108 E-mail [email protected]

Central Public Information Officer:-

Smt. Vandana Sharma, Senior Superintendent, Plot No. 9, District Shopping Centre, Ajanla Road, Ranjit Avenue,
Amritsar. Phone No. 0183-2506252 Fax No. 0183-2502108 E-mail [email protected]

Such other information as may be prescribed: and thereafter updated the publications every year.

Article 4 (1) (b) (xvii) of the Right to Information Act, 2005

All such information as may be prescribed is updated every year on website.

Public Grievances Officer:-

Smt. Vandana Sharma, Senior Superintendent, Plot No. 9, District Shopping Centre, Ajanla Road, Ranjit Avenue,
Amritsar. Phone No. 0183-2506252 Fax No. 0183-2502108 E-mail [email protected]

Note:- This is prepared as per available office record and this office not liable for any discrepancies.