Madurai bench of the Madras High Court has been informed that Passport Seva Kendra System was introduced keeping in view of the large number of applications pending in passport offices besides denying issue of passports to ineligible applicants.

In his counter filed in response to the writ plea by Approved Travel agents' Welfare association, the Tiruchi Passport Officer said 9.54 lakh passport applications were pending in various passport offices.

The petitioner said though government had fixed a target of 30 days for issue of passports, there were delays and hence Government had launched the system for benefit of citizens. Government had been receiving many applications from those who indulged in passport forgery, obtaining multiple passports by suppression, with wrong names and particulars. A majority of them had been helped by travel agents, the petitioner alleged.

Highlighting the benefits of the system, the petitioner rejected the contention of the association that they would lose their livelihood, because people in rural areas may not have computer facility and they would have to approach the Computer centre to get their applications filled.

As per fresh guidelines, Travel agents, recognised by IATA and Members of Travel Agents Association of India, could submit passport applications on behalf of applicants. Agents, who were recognised under the previous dispensation, could also submit their applications, subject to some conditions, including number of applications (to be decided by Passport officer).

The log ID for the agents had been blocked as it could not be used under the Passport seva project. The system had been introduced in public interest, the petitioner said. Last week, the association filed a writ plea against the Passport Seva Kendra System as it "affected" their livelihood.

Admitting the plea, the court had ordered issue of notice to Chief Passport officer, Tiruchi passport officer, among others. The present counter was filed through the Additional Solicitor General of Government of India, Ravindran.