Centre to set up new Passport Seva Kendras in Assam

The Centre will set up several new Passport Seva Kendras in Assam.

Union Minister of State for External Affairs V.K. Singh said this during a discussion with Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal in Dispur on Friday.

Singh said the External Affairs Ministry will extend all required support to open more Passport Seva Kendras in Assam.

Such centres will be opened at district head post offices initially.

"Apart from MEA personnel, such centres will be manned by staff of the postal department with technical support from TCS," Singh informed the Assam Chief Minister.

Singh also assured the Assam Chief Minister that the Ministry will set up Passport Seva Kendras in Dibrugarh, Silchar, Tezpur, Kokrajhar, Dhubri, Goalpara, Lakhimpur, Nagaon and Diphu soon.

Keeping in view the hardship faced by the people of northeast states while availing visas for travelling abroad, Sonowal also requested Singh to take measures for setting up of consulates in Assam.

Singh said that he would send Consulate Generals of different countries -- frequently travelled by the people of northeastern states -- to visit Assam to get a first-hand experience and to take steps for setting up of consulates in the state to meet the growing demand for visas.

The Union Minister and the Assam Chief Minister also discussed the potential of the state to be the gateway to South-East Asia and strategies to implement the government's Act East Policy to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relations with countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

--IANS

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