The novel scheme for issue of passports using the nation's largest IT firm Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has been a success in the four centres where it was initially launched, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.

Replying to supplementaries during Question Hour, Minister of State for External Affairs Preneet Kaur said the Passport Seva Project (PSP) has been launched at four centres in Karnataka to provide passports in a timely, transparent, more accessible and reliable manner.

TCS has been selected as the service provider for the front-end operations, she said. "Its successful implementation will lead to a speedy delivery of all passports."

The PSP has been hugely successful at four centres in Karnataka and in Chandigarh where it is on trial run, she said.

Kaur said passports currently face delay mainly due to police verification not coming in time and incomplete forms.

Prior to issue of a passport, the Passport Issuing Authority needs to establish the applicant's citizenship, identity and an absence of criminal record.

"Government is aware that in a number of cases passports are not issued within the target of 30 days for fresh passports and 15 days for re-issue of passports," she said.

She said Saudi Arabia had in 2009 made it mandatory for Haj pilgrims to carry international passports and the Government has set up special counters with instructions for priority issuance to the Haj pilgrims.

"Ministry has constantly monitored issue of passport to Haj pilgrims," she said, adding nearly 70,000 passports for the pilgrims are ready.