Finally, passport office opened at Imphal
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, March 31 2015 : Chief Minister Okram Obobi today inaugurated the office of Passport Seva Kendra, Imphal.

The Chief Minister attended the function as chief guest, Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam as president, Outer Manipur Parliamentary Constituency MP Thangso Baite and Rajya Sabha MP Md Abdul Salam, Chief Secretary PC Lawmkunga, Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary Muktesh K Pradeshi and Guwahati Regional Passport officer Ajungla Jamir as guests of honour.

Speaking at the function, organised by the Union Ministry of External Affairs, O Ibobi urged the Central Government to establish Visa offices at Tulihal airport and Moreh.

Before the formal function held at Hotel Imphal, the Chief Minister along with other dignitaries visited the office of Passport Seva Kendra, Imphal at old Assembly complex and unveiled the inauguration stone.

O Ibobi said that opening of a passport office in Imphal is a dream come true for the people of the State.

He said that Union Ministers concerned could not attend the inauguration function as they had an emergency Cabinet meeting.

Chief Minister O Ibobi inaugurating the passport office

O Ibobi said that the Ministers had promised him to visit the passport office after some time.

He said that the State Government has also been pressing the Centre to open Visa offices at Tulihal airport and Moreh.

Stating that infrastructure and manpower required for the establishment of offices of VISA on arrival service are now available at Moreh and Tulihal airport, O Ibobi said that once these offices start functioning, the number of tourists visiting the State would automatically rise.

Visa on arrival service would give an opportunity to those who want to explore the beauty of the country and the State travelling by road.

He expressed hope that the Visa on arrival service at Moreh would attract many tourists from South East Asian countries.

He said that although Tulihal airport had already been declared as an international airport, it still does not have many facilities including better cargo service, which an International airport must have.

Saying that the State Government is ready to extend all possible support and co-operation in upgrading Tulihal airport to a full-fledged International airport, O Ibobi said that he would meet the Prime Minister, Home Minister and Civil Aviation Minister during his next visit to the National capital.

In his keynote address, Muktesh K Pradeshi said that people of the State would not need to go to Guwahati to acquire passports with the opening of Passport Seva Kendra, Imphal.

There are 37 passport offices and 77 Passport Seva Kendra offices in the country and the Centre is planning to open 18 more Passport Seva Kendra offices in several parts of the country.

Saying that Imphal office is one among these 18 PSK offices, Muktesh K Pradeshi said that Imphal is the third North East city to have a PSK office after Aizawl and Shillong.

Nagaland and Sikkim would also PSK offices soon, he added.

Saying that India stands third after China and USA in issuing passports to its citizens, Muktesh K Pradeshi said that India has around six crore people who have valid passports and around one crore people have applied for passports in the country in the last one year.

He said that police verification regarding issuance of passport must be completed within 21 days so that PSK or passport office may issue passport to an applicant within four weeks.