MADURAI: Curious to know the status of your passport application? Just send a WhatsApp message and get the current posiotion! For the first time in the state, this service was launched on Friday at the Madurai Regional Passport Office.
An applicant who wanted clarification, file complaints regarding the status of the application, could reach the RPO through the WhatsApp number 8870 131 225. Regional Passport Officer Manishwara Raja said this 'WhatsApp' grievance service is to help passport applicants to know the status of the application.
"The passport application number, name of the applicant and his/her date of birth are mandatory for availing the service," he said.
The service would be available on all official working days from 9 am to 6 pm. If sent on non-working days or holidays, then they would be replied to on the next working day. "The public could register grievances in Tamil and English, but the reply from RPO would be in English alone," Raja said. The service is only for WhatsApp grievances as voice grievances had other dedicated complaint numbers, he added.
Grievances like missing of passport and other complaints would not be entertained through this service. During submission of application, the applicant should give their contact number and the WhatsApp complaint could be registered using that number alone. Complaints from other numbers would not be entertained, he said.
A team of officials, managing the social media accounts of RPO, are entrusted with this service.
The Deputy Regional Passport Officer, PK Ashok Babu was also present on the occasion.
Guidelines:
Applicants should not attach fake and improper documents.
In case of loss of birth certificate get a legal document from the court.
Legal action would be taken against those getting certificates otherwise.
Around 650 passports have been revoked over the last few years.
All applicants need not attach Income Tax documents to avail the ECNR facility.
As ECNR gives relaxation from some procedures, applicants, who do not qualify, attempt to avail it. During passport enquiry, if we find out the applicant is not legitimate to avail it, the passport would be revoked.