New Delhi: After a Kolkata resident wrote to external affairs minister Sushma Swaraj last month requesting that a mechanism be worked out to issue passports for infants in such a manner so that they are not exposed to any medical risk of infection when parents take them for “fingerprinting” to Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs), Ms Swaraj on Wednesday ordered a review of the rule.
According to rules, even infants need to be physically taken to PSKs to capture their biometric details with photograph. This newspaper had reported on the letter written by Kolkata resident Sundeep Bhutoria in its edition on June 28 this year.
The ministry of external affairs (MEA) said, “In response to a query regarding the requirement for infants to give their biometric imprints for issuance of passports, the official spokesperson said as instructed by the minister, this is under review.”
In his letter, Mr Bhutoria had informed Ms Swaraj, “I am writing this letter to bring to your notice an important aspect pertaining to the process of issuing passports to infants. I would like to draw your kind attention to the fact that, as per the extant norms, an infant born in India has to be taken to Passport Seva Kendra in order to comply with the formalities of getting a passport done.”
This is a very worrisome experience for those parents who find themselves in a situation where they need a passport for their days-old infant.
“It is also fraught with consequences as the infants are susceptible to diseases and infections and the risk of contracting it is very high. Since the PSK offices are visited by too many people, maintaining a proper sanitised environment conducive for the infants is not always possible,” he said.
“In the light of the fact stated above, I humbly request you to kindly take up this matter and work out a mechanism to issue passports for infants in such a manner so that they are not exposed to any risk. I also feel that there is a need to re-evaluate the necessity of fingerprinting newborns and work out viable alternatives,” he added.
