First All-Women Post Office Passport Seva Kendra Starts In Punjab

In a landmark move, Punjab just got India's first all-woman Post Office Passport Seva Kendra. The all-woman team started operations in Phagwara on Monday.

The 192nd Post Office Passport Seva Kendra is the country’s first with an all-women staff. It was inaugurated by Union Minister Vijay Sampla in the local head post office

The POPSK is an initiative of the ministry of external affairs and department of posts. As part of this scheme, head post offices and post offices double up as Post Office Passport Seva Kendra for passport-related services.

According to the Regional Passport Officer Harmanbir Singh Gill, they appointed Madhuri Bhambi as the senior passport assistant, who is also in charge as the verification officer and heads the office. Seema Sharma and Prabhjot Kaur would be the other two women staff members -- postal assistants.

"It was part of the Centre's initiative for women empowerment," Sampla told Business Standard.

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Currently, only 50 applications will be received and processed from the office daily. The number will be increased to 100 in the near future. The printing and issuing passports will be done by the Jalandhar office.

“The next centre will be opened in Pathankot,” said Gill, Tribune India reported.

"Phagwara POPSK will benefit people immensely as the town was an NRI hub of Doaba region of the state. People of the region will now get all facilities related to applying for and processing of passport applications," he said.

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The Kendra will cater to the people of Kapurthala, Nawandhar and Jalandhar rural districts. It is aimed at providing facilities related to applying for and processing of passport applications for the people.

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Feature Image Credit: Tribune

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