As always it is a pleasure to read your articles Anil. Earlier, one had to run around trying to find a gazetted officer or a high level Govt employee to get a tatkal passport (for verification of your character) otherwise you would have to wait ages to receive one in the normal course. But like in your case I too received my pport in 3 days which was two years ago. Had carried the tatkal verification but the passport officer told me it is not required and I will receive my pport in a couple of days and also save on the tatkal fees. Felt really good at the efficiency and smoothe process in place as compared to the earlier times👏👏
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your personal experience. Though vastly improved it is still a work in progress. Never easy to overcome a legacy challenge.
The incorrect entries in my 1st and 2nd passport were finally corrected in the 3rd passport issued, a few years ago. It was easier I feel, due to the entry making staff being employees of a private agency. Only the Passport officer, authorized to direct the changes, is a government officer. However, total withdrawal of the Central or State government office, is not a good thing, as one has to depend upon private internet booths, to fill up the forms, which are not that simple for new users; as has happened in driving license renewal and certain transactions related to real estate sale and purchase. However, if one goes back a decade, then definitely a huge difference is there in doing away with red tape. A feel good factor lingers, as usual Anil, after reading your article. Thank you.
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, every iteration will have its downsides. In this instance the concern is securing the privacy of personal data while using a public location. Guess once the privacy law is passed by Parliament, breach of privacy will be a criminal offence. Hope that scares away the rogues.
Firstly, thank you for publicly acknowledging my wee bit of correction in a full form (of ESG).
Coming to yesterday's article on rule-based (at least for passport renewals - if not more). Indeed, the travails of the common man have significantly decreased. The other related step in this renewal process that has improved tremendously is the police verification. Even that used to be a painful affair, with the common person having to grease the palms to get the job done. Over the last 7-8 years that has completely gone. Almost too good to be true.
Finally, the only feedback I have is it doesn't matter which political party is in power. As long as it is the government that has demonstrated good policies and successful implementation, it is a cause of celebration. So, perhaps politics can be left out from such wonderful articles. Just saying.
Thank you for writing in. Interesting you flagged the bit about police verification. Actually the local police has been calling me to do the verification, but back off when I tell them that I have received my passport. Clearly old habits die hard.
Finally, afraid I have to disagree with you. Politics is a key part of this newsletter--as it focuses on the intersection of politics and economics. In the instance of passports there was bipartisan consensus; important to flag as it dramatically reduces the risk of a roll back in a regime change.
To take you back in history, but for Indira Gandhi hitting the reset in her politics to initiate a quiet dismantling of the 'licence raj' in 1980 we would still be stuck in the past. A disaster of you ask me.
Same experience I had with the PSK. I had applied in Tatkal quota, I reached home maybe 45 mins later, and I get an sms that the passport is being printed. In the evening, has been despatched and next day, I had it with me.
Thank you Rajiv. Mine was not even Tatkal. It feels even better because we have got used to the system either not working out geared to be inefficient.
As you have rightly pointed out, Anil, change is inevitable. In this case, it's a welcome change. Our day-to-day lives have become so comfortable thanks to a rules based regime. For instance, now it is so much easier to get a new landline connection or transfer one's LPG connection from one place to another. In a way I'm glad that I'm not a part of the Millennials. Hence I'm in a position to compare how things were in the past as opposed to how they are in the present. I can well understand why you savoured your Passport Seva experience. For most youngsters it would be such a mundane experience.
As always it is a pleasure to read your articles Anil. Earlier, one had to run around trying to find a gazetted officer or a high level Govt employee to get a tatkal passport (for verification of your character) otherwise you would have to wait ages to receive one in the normal course. But like in your case I too received my pport in 3 days which was two years ago. Had carried the tatkal verification but the passport officer told me it is not required and I will receive my pport in a couple of days and also save on the tatkal fees. Felt really good at the efficiency and smoothe process in place as compared to the earlier times👏👏
Dear Kapil,
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your personal experience. Though vastly improved it is still a work in progress. Never easy to overcome a legacy challenge.
Thank you again for reading and writing in.
Best
Anil
The incorrect entries in my 1st and 2nd passport were finally corrected in the 3rd passport issued, a few years ago. It was easier I feel, due to the entry making staff being employees of a private agency. Only the Passport officer, authorized to direct the changes, is a government officer. However, total withdrawal of the Central or State government office, is not a good thing, as one has to depend upon private internet booths, to fill up the forms, which are not that simple for new users; as has happened in driving license renewal and certain transactions related to real estate sale and purchase. However, if one goes back a decade, then definitely a huge difference is there in doing away with red tape. A feel good factor lingers, as usual Anil, after reading your article. Thank you.
Dear Gautam,
Thank you for your kind words. Yes, every iteration will have its downsides. In this instance the concern is securing the privacy of personal data while using a public location. Guess once the privacy law is passed by Parliament, breach of privacy will be a criminal offence. Hope that scares away the rogues.
Best
Anil
Firstly, thank you for publicly acknowledging my wee bit of correction in a full form (of ESG).
Coming to yesterday's article on rule-based (at least for passport renewals - if not more). Indeed, the travails of the common man have significantly decreased. The other related step in this renewal process that has improved tremendously is the police verification. Even that used to be a painful affair, with the common person having to grease the palms to get the job done. Over the last 7-8 years that has completely gone. Almost too good to be true.
Finally, the only feedback I have is it doesn't matter which political party is in power. As long as it is the government that has demonstrated good policies and successful implementation, it is a cause of celebration. So, perhaps politics can be left out from such wonderful articles. Just saying.
Thanks.
Dear Dr Majumdar,
Thank you for writing in. Interesting you flagged the bit about police verification. Actually the local police has been calling me to do the verification, but back off when I tell them that I have received my passport. Clearly old habits die hard.
Finally, afraid I have to disagree with you. Politics is a key part of this newsletter--as it focuses on the intersection of politics and economics. In the instance of passports there was bipartisan consensus; important to flag as it dramatically reduces the risk of a roll back in a regime change.
To take you back in history, but for Indira Gandhi hitting the reset in her politics to initiate a quiet dismantling of the 'licence raj' in 1980 we would still be stuck in the past. A disaster of you ask me.
Do keep reading and sharing your thoughts. 😊
Best
Anil
Same experience I had with the PSK. I had applied in Tatkal quota, I reached home maybe 45 mins later, and I get an sms that the passport is being printed. In the evening, has been despatched and next day, I had it with me.
Thank you Rajiv. Mine was not even Tatkal. It feels even better because we have got used to the system either not working out geared to be inefficient.
Best
Anil
As you have rightly pointed out, Anil, change is inevitable. In this case, it's a welcome change. Our day-to-day lives have become so comfortable thanks to a rules based regime. For instance, now it is so much easier to get a new landline connection or transfer one's LPG connection from one place to another. In a way I'm glad that I'm not a part of the Millennials. Hence I'm in a position to compare how things were in the past as opposed to how they are in the present. I can well understand why you savoured your Passport Seva experience. For most youngsters it would be such a mundane experience.
Dear Ranjini,
Thank you and so glad the piece resonated with you. Really hope the transformation gathers more momentum.
Best
Anil