File Photo: Odisha chief minister Naveen Patnaik
With rise in demand for passports, the Odisha government today asked the Centre to set up two more 'Passport Seva Kendras' to cater to the needs of the people living in western and southern regions of the state.
"I will once again request to take steps for establishment of two additional Passport Seva Kendras (PSKs) in the state, one at Sambalpur and another at Brahmapur, which will help the citizens of my state to a great extent in obtaining passport services," Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik wrote to Union External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj.
Stating that the present PSK was located at Bhubaneswar, which served 30 geographically dispersed districts, Mr Patnaik said people faced immense difficulties to avail the facility.
"With the expansion of opportunities for mobility across borders for education, tourism, and business, there is substantial increase in the demand for passport services," the letter said, adding, the lone Passport office here issued above one lakh passports last year.
By setting up two new PSKs in Berhampur and Sambalpur, average travelling distances by the applicants to the capital city would be substantially reduced, Mr Patnaik said.
He also mentioned the state government had earlier made a similar request, but was awaiting the Centre's response since July 2012.