CM Ibobi inaugurates Passport Seva Kendra
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 31 2015 :
Chief Minister Okram Ibobi Singh inaugurated a new Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) at the Old Assembly Complex here on Tuesday.
Manipur has become the third State in the North East to open the PSK under the Ministry of External Affairs.
"People of Manipur now will save maximum time and money to seek passport from the Regional Passport Office, Guwahati" CM Ibobi stated at the function held at Hotel Imphal, North AOC.
He said the new PSK will greatly benefit the people and lauded the MEA.
On the other hand, Ibobi underlined the need for expediting the work for providing facility of visa on arrival at the Imphal International Airport and Moreh in Chandel and drew the attention of the MEA in this regard.
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Ibobi stated the visa on arrival facility will facilitate flow of tourists to the State from countries especially South East Asia.
The CM also drew the attention of all concerned to ensure availability of requisite infrastructure and other key facilities at the Imphal International Airport which the MEA had already announced an international airport.
Ibobi assured that he will impress upon the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Civil Aviation Minister to provide the key facilities at the airport in order that it can function as it should be at the earliest.
Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who was also among the dignitaries present at the function, stated that opening of the new PSK has realized a long awaited dream of the people of Manipur.
Gaikhngam maintained that the PSK will bring more closure between the State and many parts of the world.
Coming up of more passport offices in the region will help the North East people in exploring opportunities as the Look East Policy draws close.
Participating at the event, Joint Secretary of Passport Seva Project and Passport Officer, MEA, Muktesh K Pardeshi said 18 more PSKs will be opened in the North East on top of the 37 passport offices and 77 PSKs already set up across the country including NE region.
He said the Imphal PSK is the third after Aizwal and Shillong and informed that efforts are on to establish PSKs in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Tripura.
MPs Thangso Baite and Haji Abdul Salam, Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga, T Azungla Zamir of Regional Passport Office, Guwahati and other top officials were also present.
Union Minister of State for DoNER Dr JItendra Singh and Union Minister of State for External Affairs Dr Bijoy Kumar were to attend the function, but they missed it due to hectic schedule, official sources said.