Passport Office Ahmedabad — Application not processed after taking fee

Address:

Kheda, Gujarat

Dear Sir I had applied for passport for my 6 months old son (fresh passport), my seven year old daughter (reissue), and myself (reissue). After visiting the passport office on 14 May 2015, there were certain issues which need serious attention. I, Mayank Bapna, applied for the reissue of passport after paying an online fee of Rs 1500/-. After reaching the passport office my application was not processed and I was asked to meet APO for damaged passport. APO asked me to reschedule appointment, fill form ‘L’ and pay the damage fee. He said “Government has made a rule that those who cannot take care of their passport they must pay double fee…” Complaint against PSK (Baroda): According to the definition of PSK, you can consider my passport as damaged although the pages are intact, photograph is visible and intact, no disruption of the printed matter etc. The plastic of the first page came out from the bottom due to unseasonal rains and you can understand that sudden, natural accidents cannot be fought just like earthquakes and fire. The personnel sitting there must realize that it is not always carelessness that can damage documents instead of giving a statement stated above. Mr. APO had a cabin without any assisting staff and people had to wait outside, keep looking at him for an eye contact, so that the number comes early otherwise it may cause you half an hour or so. When the whole PSK is computerized why not a meeting with APO can be scheduled in a proper manner? I was asked to reschedule an appointment for the damaged passport, fill form ‘L’ and verbally told by APO to pay the fee again. When anyone applies for a reissue, there is no dropdown menu in the application format that says that he/she has to apply for a damaged passport and no link in the application that indicates towards damaged passport and things to do for the same. If you calculate the fee for damaged passport which is expired then it comes to Rs 1500/-. If I have already paid the fee of Rs 1500/- then why was I asked to reschedule the appointment and pay the fee again. Is it one way of making money by SEVA KENDRA’S!  The number given on the website is unanswered most of the time and they have only one thing to say after each statement that the final decision lies in the hands of APO; whether it is relevant or not?  If the fee is 1500/- then why I have to pay extra? Rescheduling an appointment, going to PSK is whole lot of process and it causes wastage of time and money as PSK is not going to give me travelling allowance for the same. It has to be very much clearly understood by a layman, while filling out the application form that he is applying for a reissue-damaged passport/ reissue of passport. Before applying there is no one to tell that the passport is damaged or not? After reaching PSK you get this information and it is only your trouble and loss. I lost my fee because of no fault of mine and till date there is one to tell that what happened to my deposited fee?  My questions are 1. If I have to reschedule then how will I do the same as there is no reschedule button in the website. 2. Do I have to pay again and do the application process again? 3. If the same process needs to be done then why my application was rejected at PSK? I am totally confused regarding the process of reapplying of a passport which is said to be damaged by PSK. Passport SEVA Kendra is not doing any SEVA although they are harassing the people by not providing sufficient information to the client. I am totally disappointed with the services provided by the PSK and APO. I want my fee back and strict action to be taken as after paying the fee and submitting the documents my passport was not reissued.