All ReportsBribe HotlineHi Ragu, I already have an indian passport that is about to expire. So I applied for a re-issue of the passport. The passport officials in Thane are being fuzzy about the amount of time it would
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  • 13 years ago
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Hi Ragu, I already have an indian passport that is about to expire. So I applied for a re-issue of the passport. The passport officials in Thane are being fuzzy about the amount of time it would

Reported on May 13, 2011 from Bangalore , Karnataka  ι Report #33752


Corrupt officials will go out of their way to deliberately delay the process, thereby leaving the individual no option other than to pay a bribe to get the process done quicker. Please visit the website of the Ministry of External affairs at http://passport.gov.in/ Here the details of how the passport is to be obtained is given in great detail. The status of your application can also be checked there. There is also a Tatkal scheme under which you can fast track your passport application.



It is true that the process of police verification is the most bribe -prone. But there is absolutely no need to pay a bribe to the Police for the passport verification. They have to send the case back with the verification within a specified period of time. Please ensure that you go to the Police station and present yourself for the verification. Please keep a complaint ready to be given to senior officials in case they demand a bribe. Passport officers also now have systems by which you can track your application. I would suggest that you carry a mobile and record the conversation in case the policeman demands a bribe.



In case a policeman demands a bribe, I would suggest that you make a written complaint about this case to the vigilance authorities mentioned in the website. Please mention to the police that you know your rights and that you will complain to higher authorities if they demand a bribe. There are several instances reported in our -I didnt pay a bribe section where citizens have successfully resisted demands for bribes for the issue of passports and for the police verification. You could also file an RTI application with the Passport office to find out what has happened to your application. It is time consuming, but it is an effective solution. It is only if we stand up and be firm about not paying a bribe, that things will change.

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ADMIN COMMENT

Hi Ragu, I already have an indian passport that is about to expire. So I applied for a re-issue of the passport. The passport officials in Thane are being fuzzy about the amount of time it would take for a Tatkal passport to be processed. I had a feeling that they are trying to be deliberately fuzzy so they have an opportunity to fleece (a.k.a. ask for a bribe) from folks who genuinely need their passport on a urgent basis. What approach should I take? Pray and watch while my passport re-issue takes an endless time... Get some concrete answers/timelines from the officials, how? Also, any suggestions for the police verification process. I have heard some recent accounts of cops ask for a bribe to approve the verification. (Although the last time around I got it done without shelling out a dime beyond the official fees of passport application). RTI is an option, but I'm concerned about the time (~30 days) it could potentially take to get the answers.