Friends,
A few days back I went through the new procedure at the Regional Passport Office Chandigah, in order to renew my passport. I just could not believe that with the introduction of TCS in the loop things are working so smoothly.
I had to ask a few times IS THIS REALLY AN INDIAN GOVERNMENT OFFICE and met the Assistant Passport Officer and complimented her!
However, at two counters one had to interact with Government employees, luckily briefly and the difference was marked!
Lt Gen Harbhajan Singh (Retd)
Passport - new procedures
The front-end operations of all Regional Passport office have been outsourced as part of the Passport Seva Kendra (PSK) project and Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) is all set to handle the front-end operations of all RPO very shortly. Union Ministry of External Affairs has already implemented the PSK project some of the passport offices in India. These centres have been set up on a public-private partnership (PPP) basis with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) as its service provider. The project has been designed as a citizen-centric and paperless service. All one needs to do is upload a passport application on www.passportindia.gov.in and confirm an appointment online. After which the support staff from TCS will guide the applicant through the biometric process. Walk-in applicants will be greeted by a floor manager who will help the applicants upload applications through a kiosk at the PSK. "The amenities and services at the PSK are in keeping with any modern bank or airport.
The implementation of the project has reached its halfway mark and will likely to completed by March 2012, The existing passport office will be responsible for liaison with the MEA, dispatching, printing, answering RTIs, and management of the PSKs. First time applicants no longer need to go the existing passport office.
According to the available information, TCS would receive applicants, guide them and handle the process for submission of applications, conduct the verification of the completeness of the application form and the documents attached therein. TCS would be in charge of receiving applications and guiding applicants, technical support and maintenance of the premises, while sensitive areas would continue to be handled by the passport office staff. The PSK initiative would bring in the much-required concept of “one-day visit to the passport office”, as the officials would tell the applicants the same evening as to whether their passport application forms and the supporting documents were in order and whether the passport would be issued or not. This would eliminate the anxious wait by the applicants.
Under the new system, photographs need not be affixed, image of the applicant's face will be captured at the time of applying online as is done in the driving licence process. In addition, the new system will involve taking the finger print (bio-metric) of the applicant and incorporating it in the database. Only if the finger print tallies, the applicant will be able to apply for other services such as spouse entry, address change or renewal of passport.
The added feature is that every police district will have access to the passport server for downloading the personal particular form online and to send the police verification reports online. This will obviate postal delay and laborious paper work. This will also ensure speedy completion of procedures which are time-consuming at present. Even passport issuance will be modernized with digital signature.
The place for these front-end operations has been already finalized for most of locations and started functioning. The new system will put in place a first-in and first-out concept, eliminating the practice of issuing passports out-of-turn. Under the new system getting passport will not take more than 72 hours. This turnaround time is from the moment of police verification to the issuance of the passport.Procedures for applying Passports under new system (where ever the new PSK system is implemented)For filling and submitting your application online, you need to be a registered user on the Passport Seva website.
Visit: Passport Seva Portal: Consular passport and Visa Division
Sunday, February 26, 2012
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Ministry of Defence withdraws appeals against pre-1973 pensioners
MoD withdraws appeals against grant of ‘service element’
Pension to pre-1973 disabled ex-servicemen
Vijay Mohan/TNS
Chandigarh, February 24, 2012
Bringing succour to hundreds of disabled ex-servicemen pensioners across the country, the grant of “service element” to whom had been challenged by the government in the Supreme Court, the Defence Ministry today informed the apex court that it had decided to withdraw appeals in all such cases that were bunched and listed yesterday.
The veterans concerned, many of whom belong to this region, would now be entitled to get their dues and arrears in accordance with existing rules and court rulings. Lawyers associated with the cases said some of the affected veterans were in their nineties now.
Disabled personnel are entitled to a disability pension consisting of a “service element” commensurate with the length of service and a “disability element” that depends upon the quantum of injury. Prior to 1964, on disability decreasing below 20 per cent, the disability element used to be withdrawn, but the service element continued if the service rendered was more than 15 years. The service limit for service element was brought down to 10 years in 1964 and 5 years in 1968.
With effect from 1973, the qualifying service requirement for service element was totally abrogated and persons with even one day of service became eligible for service element. Even after 1973, the MoD refused to extend the benefit of service element to earlier retirees with lesser length of service, leading to a spate of litigation. Ultimately, various high courts ruled in favour of disabled ex-servicemen, asking the govt to release service element irrespective of length of service to pre-1973 retirees.
Though the appeals filed by the government against HC decisions were time and again dismissed by the SC, the MoD continued to file SLPs against its disabled veterans, leading to multiple litigation. Sources associated with the issue said the Adjutant General’s Branch and the Army’s Personnel Services Directorate repeatedly requested the MoD’s Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare to resolve the issue, but the requests were not acceded to.
Sources say the current Secretary DESW Samirendra Chatterjee, however, saw reason in the Army’s proposal and played an instrumental role in withdrawing all such appeals and conceding the matter.
On the last date earlier this month, the Supreme Court Bench hearing the case had asked the MoD to “seek instructions” if it did not want an adverse order. The veterans have welcomed the government’s move to withdraw the said cases.
Clicjk here for the Tribune Post
Click here for the earlier Blog Post
Comment: We need to thank the Media, Maj Navdeep and Ajai Shukla for taking on the "MOD Bulls". I hope similarly MoD finds sense in the two decade Rank Pay litigation case dragging on and release the arrears of pension entitled under the 4th Central Pay Commission to the Officers who were cheated of it.
Pension to pre-1973 disabled ex-servicemen
Vijay Mohan/TNS
Chandigarh, February 24, 2012
Bringing succour to hundreds of disabled ex-servicemen pensioners across the country, the grant of “service element” to whom had been challenged by the government in the Supreme Court, the Defence Ministry today informed the apex court that it had decided to withdraw appeals in all such cases that were bunched and listed yesterday.
The veterans concerned, many of whom belong to this region, would now be entitled to get their dues and arrears in accordance with existing rules and court rulings. Lawyers associated with the cases said some of the affected veterans were in their nineties now.
Disabled personnel are entitled to a disability pension consisting of a “service element” commensurate with the length of service and a “disability element” that depends upon the quantum of injury. Prior to 1964, on disability decreasing below 20 per cent, the disability element used to be withdrawn, but the service element continued if the service rendered was more than 15 years. The service limit for service element was brought down to 10 years in 1964 and 5 years in 1968.
With effect from 1973, the qualifying service requirement for service element was totally abrogated and persons with even one day of service became eligible for service element. Even after 1973, the MoD refused to extend the benefit of service element to earlier retirees with lesser length of service, leading to a spate of litigation. Ultimately, various high courts ruled in favour of disabled ex-servicemen, asking the govt to release service element irrespective of length of service to pre-1973 retirees.
Though the appeals filed by the government against HC decisions were time and again dismissed by the SC, the MoD continued to file SLPs against its disabled veterans, leading to multiple litigation. Sources associated with the issue said the Adjutant General’s Branch and the Army’s Personnel Services Directorate repeatedly requested the MoD’s Department of Ex-Servicemen Welfare to resolve the issue, but the requests were not acceded to.
Sources say the current Secretary DESW Samirendra Chatterjee, however, saw reason in the Army’s proposal and played an instrumental role in withdrawing all such appeals and conceding the matter.
On the last date earlier this month, the Supreme Court Bench hearing the case had asked the MoD to “seek instructions” if it did not want an adverse order. The veterans have welcomed the government’s move to withdraw the said cases.
Clicjk here for the Tribune Post
Click here for the earlier Blog Post
Comment: We need to thank the Media, Maj Navdeep and Ajai Shukla for taking on the "MOD Bulls". I hope similarly MoD finds sense in the two decade Rank Pay litigation case dragging on and release the arrears of pension entitled under the 4th Central Pay Commission to the Officers who were cheated of it.
Will the arms dealer and money launderer be ever nailed and convicted?
Income tax raids on arms dealer Suresh Nanda
TNN | Feb 25, 2012, 03.06AM IST
NEW DELHI: Income tax officials on Friday carried out searches at various premises of Delhi-based businessman and defence dealer Suresh Nanda, including at the Claridges hotel owned by him.
Nanda had temporarily shifted his residence to Claridges but on the day of the raid he slipped out in a similar fashion like in 2007 when a raiding party failed to lay their hands on him. Sources said he has left for London while raids continued late in the night on Friday.
Nanda's residences at Prithviraj Road, Defence Colony and his properties in New Delhi and Mumbai were searched. The I-T department refused to divulge details.
A close associate of Nanda, besides his family members, were the target during Friday's raids. Some of his transactions in London have been on the radar of investigative agencies. Nanda is believed to have purchased properties in UK among other places. Sources said he was in negotiations for a five-star property in Mumbai.
The I-T department had been keeping a close watch on Nanda's financial transactions as it had specific information about the defence dealer's earnings abroad and the money he had allegedly brought into the country through hawala.
Nanda is already facing a CBI case in the Barak defence deal in which he is alleged to have paid Rs 2 crore to former Samata Party chief Jaya Jaitly at the then defence minister George Fernandes's official residence.
In October 2006, Nanda and three other defence dealers had come under investigation after the CBI raided their premises for their alleged role as middlemen in various defence deals, including the Barak missile deal.
This is not the Nanda family's first brush with controversy. Nanda, a former Navy officer and son of former Navy chief Admiral S M Nanda, is named in at least three different CBI FIRs.
In October 2006, CBI filed an FIR naming Suresh Nanda among others alleging huge kickbacks in the purchase of Barak missiles from Israel for the Indian Navy. In the same month, Nanda was named in another FIR, in the purchase of Armoured Recovery Vehicles. Nanda was termed an agent for one of the bidders, and was accused of accepting commission from the company.
Nanda and his son Sanjeev were arrested on March 8, 2008 along with their chartered accountant Vipin Shah and income tax officer Ashutosh Verma in an alleged bribery case. Verma was handling the income tax investigation against the Nanda family.
Feb 01, 2008 at 12:39am IST
Four years ago Feb 01, 2008 at 12:39am IST
New Delhi: Arms dealer Suresh Nanda's passport has been suspended for four weeks following a request by the Central Bureau of investigation (CBI). His father and former Indian Navy chief Admiral SM Nanda is also under the scanner.
Suresh is arguably India's biggest arms dealer and finally, after being accused of corruption charges, the CBI seems to have him in their net.
He is alleged to have received 10 per cent kickback in the Rs 1,100 crore Barak Anti-Missile System deal between an Israeli company and the Indian armed forces.
Investigations into the deal show that Nanda received Rs 400 crores from abroad in various banks accounts in India.
Sources have told CNN-IBN that Nanda's father, Admiral SM Nanda is also being investigated for receiving kickbacks in the Rs 7,000-crore deal with Russia for aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov. (Sadly or luckily he died in May 2011 and hence escaped conviction)
While CBI refuses to comment, Nanda tried to defend himself after interrogations on Thursday evening.
"I think everything has come legally through proper banking channels," Suresh Nanda casually remarked.
CBI sources have told CNN-IBN that Nanda has used the kickback money to buy the Claridges Hotel in New Delhi, Searock Hotel in Mumbai, Land for SEZ near Mumbai and another hotel in Faridabad.
But what can put Nanda in a soup is his alleged British passport. He owns a company called Globetech in London and Interpol alleges that he has listed himself as a British national.
"I am an NRI for the last 24 years," Nanda replied when asked about his status.
But that is not true because Nanda's NRI status was revoked after income tax raids last year found documents pointing to crores of unaccounted wealth.
CBI closing in on arms dealer Suresh Nanda
Comment: CBI closing on the money launderer for the last 5 years without any tangible progress- It is likely the accused may vanish in a few days!
TNN | Feb 25, 2012, 03.06AM IST
NEW DELHI: Income tax officials on Friday carried out searches at various premises of Delhi-based businessman and defence dealer Suresh Nanda, including at the Claridges hotel owned by him.
Nanda had temporarily shifted his residence to Claridges but on the day of the raid he slipped out in a similar fashion like in 2007 when a raiding party failed to lay their hands on him. Sources said he has left for London while raids continued late in the night on Friday.
Nanda's residences at Prithviraj Road, Defence Colony and his properties in New Delhi and Mumbai were searched. The I-T department refused to divulge details.
A close associate of Nanda, besides his family members, were the target during Friday's raids. Some of his transactions in London have been on the radar of investigative agencies. Nanda is believed to have purchased properties in UK among other places. Sources said he was in negotiations for a five-star property in Mumbai.
The I-T department had been keeping a close watch on Nanda's financial transactions as it had specific information about the defence dealer's earnings abroad and the money he had allegedly brought into the country through hawala.
Nanda is already facing a CBI case in the Barak defence deal in which he is alleged to have paid Rs 2 crore to former Samata Party chief Jaya Jaitly at the then defence minister George Fernandes's official residence.
In October 2006, Nanda and three other defence dealers had come under investigation after the CBI raided their premises for their alleged role as middlemen in various defence deals, including the Barak missile deal.
This is not the Nanda family's first brush with controversy. Nanda, a former Navy officer and son of former Navy chief Admiral S M Nanda, is named in at least three different CBI FIRs.
In October 2006, CBI filed an FIR naming Suresh Nanda among others alleging huge kickbacks in the purchase of Barak missiles from Israel for the Indian Navy. In the same month, Nanda was named in another FIR, in the purchase of Armoured Recovery Vehicles. Nanda was termed an agent for one of the bidders, and was accused of accepting commission from the company.
Nanda and his son Sanjeev were arrested on March 8, 2008 along with their chartered accountant Vipin Shah and income tax officer Ashutosh Verma in an alleged bribery case. Verma was handling the income tax investigation against the Nanda family.
Feb 01, 2008 at 12:39am IST
Four years ago Feb 01, 2008 at 12:39am IST
New Delhi: Arms dealer Suresh Nanda's passport has been suspended for four weeks following a request by the Central Bureau of investigation (CBI). His father and former Indian Navy chief Admiral SM Nanda is also under the scanner.
Suresh is arguably India's biggest arms dealer and finally, after being accused of corruption charges, the CBI seems to have him in their net.
He is alleged to have received 10 per cent kickback in the Rs 1,100 crore Barak Anti-Missile System deal between an Israeli company and the Indian armed forces.
Investigations into the deal show that Nanda received Rs 400 crores from abroad in various banks accounts in India.
Sources have told CNN-IBN that Nanda's father, Admiral SM Nanda is also being investigated for receiving kickbacks in the Rs 7,000-crore deal with Russia for aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov. (Sadly or luckily he died in May 2011 and hence escaped conviction)
While CBI refuses to comment, Nanda tried to defend himself after interrogations on Thursday evening.
"I think everything has come legally through proper banking channels," Suresh Nanda casually remarked.
CBI sources have told CNN-IBN that Nanda has used the kickback money to buy the Claridges Hotel in New Delhi, Searock Hotel in Mumbai, Land for SEZ near Mumbai and another hotel in Faridabad.
But what can put Nanda in a soup is his alleged British passport. He owns a company called Globetech in London and Interpol alleges that he has listed himself as a British national.
"I am an NRI for the last 24 years," Nanda replied when asked about his status.
But that is not true because Nanda's NRI status was revoked after income tax raids last year found documents pointing to crores of unaccounted wealth.
CBI closing in on arms dealer Suresh Nanda
Comment: CBI closing on the money launderer for the last 5 years without any tangible progress- It is likely the accused may vanish in a few days!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Disclaimer
Resources