Passport clearance

TNN Bureau. Updated: 1/8/2022 12:56:15 PM Edit and Opinion

Taking a U-turn from its previous order, Jammu and Kashmir administration has directed the passport authorities and the Crime Investigation Department (CID) not to insist the employees for the vigilance clearance as the concerned department has to obtain the prior vigilance status in respect of the intending applicant.Prescribed by the Ministry of Personnel, Public Grievances and Pension, Department of Personnel & Training, Government of India vide Office Memorandum on February 18, 2020 that the latest vigilance status of a Government employee applying for issuance of a passport is must, the Jammu and Kashmir administration modified its circular vide No. 35-JK(GAD) of 2021 Dated 16.09.2021 issued in this connection and Wednesday asked passport authorities as well as verifying agencies (Executive and CID wings of JKP) not insist on latest vigilance clearance from its employees, underlining that it causes “unnecessary delay and unwarranted inconvenience” in issuance of the passport.The fresh order read as “Attention of Administrative Departments/Heads of Departments/Passport issuing/verifying authorities is invited towards Circular No. 35-JK(GAD) of 2021 Dated 16.09.2021, wherein it has been made mandatory to seek the latest vigilance status of a Government employee applying for issuance of a passport,” adding, “However, instances have come into the notice of the Government that in view of the aforementioned circular instructions, the Passport issuing authority as well as verifying agencies are also insisting for obtaining latest vigilance clearance in respect of the Government employees before initiating the verification process, which causes unnecessary delay and unwarranted inconvenience in issuance of Passport to the applicants, which is/was, however, not the underlying intention of the instructions,” the circular.“With a view to remove the ambiguity involved, if any, at any level, it is further clarified that once the prior intimation (PI) given by the applicant (government employee) in Annexure-H is duly acknowledged by the Controlling/Administrative Authority/Employer in favour of such employee OR the prescribed annexure/certificate is issued in favour of such employee by his/her Controlling/Administrative Authority/Employer, it shall be presumed that the concerned department has obtained the prior vigilance status in respect of the intending applicant and the Passport issuing authority/verifying agencies (CID/Police) shall not separately insist for seeking vigilance clearance/status.”Earlier, the government in its order had directed that an employee seeking a passport will have to secure a No Objection Certificate, NOC, from the concerned department on the basis of a vigilance report. “The Passport to the citizens including government employees is issued on the basis of the verification conducted by the CID”, read an order.


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