Mehbooba E-Inaugurates Anantnag Passport Seva Kendra, Seeks Faster Issuance for Students, Pilgrims
Anantnag, Feb 19, KNT: Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti today inaugurated a Passport Seva Kendra in Anantnag, describing the facility as a major step towards bringing essential services closer to the people of South Kashmir.
The Chief Minister said the opening of the Kendra would expedite passport issuance and delivery by reducing procedural delays and cutting down travel for applicants from far-flung areas. The facility is expected to benefit nearly 20 lakh inhabitants of South Kashmir districts.
Complimenting the people of Anantnag on the occasion, Mehbooba Mufti expressed hope that the new centre would significantly reduce waiting time for applicants. She directed passport authorities to prioritise issuance of passports for students, Hajj pilgrims, infirm persons and other deserving categories by streamlining procedures.
Officials informed the Chief Minister that Anantnag is among 144 locations across the country where Passport Seva Kendras are being introduced. In Jammu and Kashmir, similar facilities are planned at Baramulla, Kathua and Udhampur.
Chief Post Master General Sanjay Sharavan, Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan, Inspector General of Police Kashmir Zone S P Pani, Senior Superintendent of Posts Rattan Lal, Additional Passport Officers B B Nagar and Anil Suryavanshi, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr Syed Abid Rasheed, SSP Srinagar Imtiaz Ismail Parray and other senior officers were present.
At Anantnag, MLA Kokernag Abdul Rahim Rather, PDP Vice President Muhammad Sartaj Madni, Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Younis, DIG SKR Amit Kumar, SSP Altaf Ahmad Khan and other officials attended the inauguration along with a large number of inhabitants. [KNT]
