MEA asked to give details of pending passport cases in J&K

Last Updated: Monday, June 06, 2011, 14:42

New Delhi: The Home Ministry has asked the External Affairs Ministry to provide details of pending cases of issuance of passports in Jammu and Kashmir to expedite their security clearance.

The decision has been taken as part of the Centre's confidence building measures in Jammu and Kashmir where security clearance has not given to many passports applicants for their alleged links with militants.

Instances were brought to the notice of the Home Ministry that some residents of J-K were finding it difficult to obtain their passports due to the antecedents of their parents.

In one such case, Union Home Secretary Gopal K Pillai intervened when Mubeshirah Qayoom, a resident of Sopore, did not get security clearance as her father had alleged links with a militant organisation.

The Home Ministry took up the issue with the authorities concerned and the necessary no-objection certification was granted and conveyed to the passport division for issuance of a passport to her.

"This indicates seriousness of the government of India towards making the process of issuance of passports to the residents of Jammu and Kashmir faster," a Home Ministry official said.

PTI

First Published: Monday, June 06, 2011, 14:42