Biometrics to ensure right use of passports

KOCHI: In spite of allegations that tatkal passports have been misused by the criminals to fly out of the country, the passport officials believe that tatkal passports are in high demand and are very useful in the emergency situations.Under the tatkal scheme, applicant usually submits three identification documents, mainly voter ID, driving license and bank passbook, to avail passport at a fee of Rs 2,500.The passport is delivered through registered post within 15 working days. Later, the application details are forwarded to the police for verification. In the past, several many people with criminal background have used it effectively to fly out from the country.However, passport officials claim that such incidents happen only once or twice a year. With the introduction of Passport Seva Kendras, the police will able to track people who provide fake identity proofs and try to escape using dubious passports.“The passport Seval Kendras will be very helpful in curbing the misuse of tatkal passports. The biometric details of the people applying for the passports will be taken and we will also have machines to detect fake certificates. The biometric details will ensure that the original passport holder is the one travelling using it. Besides, the details can be accessed by the emigration officials across the country. So there are very less chances for a person to escape,” an official in the passport office said.