No NOC needed for govt staff to get passports

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, June 5

Simplifying the procedures for government employees to obtain a passport, the Ministry of External Affairs has done away with the requirement of applicants having to submit a “no objection certificate” from their superior authorities.

Government servants instead can now simply forward a “prior intimation letter” to their respective controlling authority, apprising them that they have applied for issue of a passport.

A circular issued by the MEA earlier this month sates that the new procedure would benefit a large number of persons employed in government establishments as well as public sector undertakings and autonomous bodies who find it difficult to obtain identity certificates or no-objection certificates from their departments.

After an applicant submits the passport application, the copy will be sent to the controlling authority concerned and in case it has any objection regarding the issuance of passport, the relevant details can be conveyed to the passport office.