Empowering MSMEs with News & Insights

Common services centres to provide passport related services in rural areas

Updated: Mar 06, 2014 03:32:27pm
image
New Delhi, Mar 6 (KNN)   In an effort to bridge the digital divide in the country, the government is planning to launch passport related services to rural areas through a vast network of over one lakh common service centres (CSCs).
 
The move is an initiative of the Ministry of External Affairs, along with CSC e-Governance Services India Limited which is promoted by the Department of Electronics and Information Technology (DeitY).
 
“The CSCs are the delivery points for Government, Private and Social Sector services in the areas of agriculture, health, education, banking, insurance, pension, utility bill payments, entertainment, etc. to rural citizens of India at their doorstep. The passport related services are being added as part of their bouquet of services,” said an official notification.

Under the Passport Seva, the Ministry of External affairs has made it mandatory to complete the entire form filing process on-line, including payment of applicable fee and scheduling of appointment for seeking Passport related services.
 
The CSCs would facilitate filling and uploading of Passport application form, payment of applicable fee (through debit/credit card or through SBI internet banking/challan mode) and scheduling of appointment for the visit to the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) at nominal charge not exceeding Rs 100/-.
 
Thereafter, as per the appointment schedule, an applicant will have to visit the PSK for completion of application submission process (including collection of digital photographs/biometrics, verification of supporting documents and approval).
 
The services through CSCs would be available throughout the week, including during the weekend.

Initially, the services would be launched in pilot mode at 15 select CSC locations in Uttar Pradesh and Jharkhand in the second week of March 2014. The full roll out across the country is expected to conclude by end of March 2014.  
 
The CSC Scheme was approved by the Government of India in September 2006 for setting up of 100,000+ (One Lakh+) Internet enabled centres in rural areas under the National e-Governance Plan (NeGP).  (KNN/ES)


COMMENTS

    Be first to give your comments.

LEAVE A REPLY

Required fields are marked *

SUBSCRIBE TO OUR MAILING LIST

Get the latest updates from KNN

Your e-mail will be secure with us. We will not share your information with anyone !