Minister of State for External Affairs Gen. V.K. Singh (retd.) on Saturday opened three counters of Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) at the passport office here.Speaking at the function at the COG complex here, the minister, who is also the local MP, said Ghaziabad residents would not to have to go far from passport services. Earlier a PSK was launched behind Pacific mall in Sahibabad, but is quite far for applicants and not connected to public transport.Singh stressed that the time span for issuance of passport would be shortened in future, with the passport issued at the earlier and police verification conducted later at the given address.
If any discrepancy or false information would be found, the applicant would be liable for punishment, he added.A total of 75 appointments were given on the first day at the newly-opened PSK counters, and the number would be increased to 150 per day, the minister added.Chief Income Tax Commissioner Mita Nambiyar, Chief Passport Officer Arun Kumar Chaterjee and Regional Passport Officer Sita Ram Yadav were present on the occasion.